I have a confession. I'm a bit of a gambler. By 'gambler' I mean I play the occasional poker or casino game, and by 'a bit', I mean I may play once every three months or so, usually for pennies or play money. I did win an iPad playing blackjack once. That was pretty neat.

I've never been to Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Biloxi, or any gambling destination, but one thing I've gathered from friends who play casino games regularly is how they cater to the player/spender. Gone are the days of a dingy, smoke-filled casino, serving nothing but rotgut liquor drinks at the tables and 'famous' steak-and-eggs combos at 2am in smallish coffee shops. Instead, casinos are now marketing themselves as true destinations, encompassing everything a family might need to entertain themselves while dad (or mom) is off spending the college fund.

Food is at the top of this list. Las Vegas casinos constantly tout this or that celebrity chef who has taken up residence in their establishment. Wolfgang Puck slings his fancypants pizzas at the MGM Grand and at Mandalay Bay. Bobby Flay has set up his Mesa Grill at Caesar's Palace. Alain Ducasse has MIX at Mandalay Bay. Joel Robuchon has two places at the MGM Grand ,and BAM! Emeril Lagasse has exploded all over Las Vegas, with restaurants at the MGM Grand, The Venetian,and two in The Palazzo. And who can say they haven't been tempted by pictures or descriptions of those completely over-the-top Las Vegas buffets?


Now, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I'm not much of a player, but I am a fantastic eater, and it seems to me that a trip out to Las Vegas would still be magical. I could eat at a different star chef's restaurant every day for a week, filling out my food passport in just one city alone. Vegas has become a true foodie destination, and with the crackdown on internet gambling in this country, US Casinos only stand to benefit from more and more tourist dollars. Hopefully that will translate into more and more great restaurants. I'm making a trip to Vegas soon, but I 'bet' I'll be spending more time in the dining room than at the tables!

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