Gambling venues are the hot new date spot
George Steuer was into playing cards at the casinos long before he married his wife, Marita.
But the Oswego man got lucky in more than just love -- he also found a woman who quickly shared his affinity for gambling.
"I am fortunate enough that she took an interest in it," Steuer said. "The fact that she's really good at it -- better than most of my other friends -- I think that's what drives her motivation to play."
That's one reason the Steuers, along with scores of other local couples, are making their nights out all about the casinos.
While gambling spots like Hollywood Casino in Aurora and Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin offer tons of blackjack and slots, they also offer top-notch dining and live music and comedy acts, which have included past shows by Tony Bennett, Bill Cosby and Aretha Franklin.
Local couples like the Steuers say this variety is transforming gambling into a more mainstream date.
And to create a more upscale ambience, many casinos like Harrah's in Joliet have completed major renovations since they've been allowed to remain dockside, says Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association.
"When you walk into it, you no longer feel like you're on a riverboat," Swoik says. "It's more state of the art and patron friendly. I think that they are certainly aiming to make casinos more of an entertainment venue than just gambling."
For Gina Spagnola of Chicago, a trip to the casino with her boyfriend, Kenneth Heiman, equals their rare night out without their 10-year-old son, Marco.
Since they aren't big drinkers, Spagnola said the bar scene doesn't usually cut it for them.
Instead, they plan a night of upscale dining, riverboat gambling and maybe even taking in some music. Often, they'll plan meet up with other couples, too.
"We enjoy going to Vegas a lot and, since Vegas is a lot farther away, we head to the riverboats," Spagnola says.
She says the casinos allow her and Heiman to socialize and focus on an activity -- and split up for a while if different games catch their interest.
Steuer said casinos, like the Hollywood in Aurora near his home, also offer a different ambience than a typical date.
"You get the vibe of when a table's hot and the energy coming from it," he said.
And, of course, he says it never hurts if he or his wife get a big win.
"That's a bonus at the end of the night, actually hitting the jackpot and making money on your date."
Suburban Casinos
Grand Victoria Casino
Where: 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. daily
Restaurants: Buckinghams, Fox & Hounds, Grand Victoria Buffet and Westminster Deli
Upcoming events: Musical performances from 7 p.m. to midnight by SenSation on May 23; Ultimate Touch, May 24; 215 West, May 25
Web site: www.grandvictoria-elgin.com
Phone: (888) 508-1900
Hollywood Casino
Where: 1 New York Street Bridge, Aurora
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Restaurants: Fairbanks Steakhouse, Epic Buffet and Take Two
Web site: www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com
Phone: (630) 801-1234
Harrah's Casino and Hotel
Where: 151 N. Joliet St., Joliet
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily
Restaurants: The Reserve, Ace's Diner and Union Station Buffet
Upcoming events: Musical performances from 8 p.m. to midnight by The Play Doctors, April 12; Libido Funk Circus, April 18; Rendition, April 19; Spoken Four, April 25; BBI, April 26
Web site: www.harrahs.com
Phone: (815) 740-7800
Empress Casino and Hotel
Where: 2300 Empress Drive, Joliet
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. daily
Restaurants: Alex, Café Casablanca and Marrakech Market Buffet
Upcoming events: Musical performances from 9 p.m. to midnight by Five Guys Named Moe, April 11-12; The Clients, April 18-19; The Silhouettes, April 25-26
Web site: www.argosycasinos.com
Phone: (888) 436-7737