Travelocity Features Off-Beat Summer Gambling Spots for High-Rollers and Novices Alike; From Niagara Falls to the French Alps,
May 16 2006 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
The popularity of gambling hot spots such as Las Vegas and Atlantic
City have skyrocketed in recent years, with Vegas luring a record
38.6 million visitors in 2005, according to the Las Vegas
Convention and Visitors Authority. With these destinations hot on
travelers' minds and summer vacation season just around the corner,
Travelocity editors compiled a list of travel-worthy destinations
that gamblers may have overlooked when booking their last
casino-studded getaway. "Las Vegas continues to be the top
destination for gambling, and it even has a selection of
lesser-known spots to place your bets," said Jennifer Gaines, a
Travelocity editor. "However, far beyond the Vegas city limits
there are interesting gambling destinations for travelers to
enjoy." From the gambling spots made famous by the Wild West Gold
Rush to destinations cultivated by contemporary generations,
Travelocity Editors found 10 destinations so good they'd put their
money on them: Catch Lady Luck on the Lost Continent: Inspired by
history's most legendary continent, Atlantis resort brings elements
of the lost civilization to life through artifacts, architecture
and art. Located on Paradise Island, Bahamas, even the Atlantis
Casino succeeds in illuminating historical elements of the
Atlantean culture. Spanning the resort's seven-acre lagoon, the
casino links two towers, allowing both night and day to enter the
gaming hall through its skylights. Vibrant glass sculptures, such
as the 30,000 pound Crystal Gate by artist Dale Chihuly, energize
the casino with aesthetic appeal. Between Chihuly's works on the
casino floor and the breathtaking views of the waterscape, players
may very well be distracted from their game. A Gambler's Roadside
Stomping Grounds: Every road trip calls for a few requisite stops:
Dairy Queen, a local gas station and a roadside restroom or two.
But for those driving through Sparks, NV, the stop of choice for
truckers and gamblers alike is the Alamo Casino & Travel
Center. It could possibly be one of the only gambling meccas
located between an Iron Skillet and a Laundromat, but don't let the
truck stop location fool you into thinking it's for amateurs. The
casino shells out $1 million weekly and has slots, blackjack tables
and a poker room. High-Stakes on the High Seas: Tapping into the
popularity of gambling, cruise lines have lured casino junkies (and
their wallets) to the sea for years. Sail Carnival Cruise Line and
try to beat the odds playing MegaCash. With a payout reaching more
than $1 million, this progressive game weighs in as the world's
largest cruise ship jackpot. If gaming happens to be your thing,
you can even enroll in Carnival's Ocean Players Club to earn points
and receive rewards. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines
have similar programs for frequent players. Pick a cruise line, and
choose a destination. Whether the ship sails the South Pacific or
the Mediterranean Sea, chances are blackjack, roulette and slot
machines await. Gamble Like a King: Perfectly nestled at the
water's edge of Lac du Bourget in the Savoie region of the French
Alps, Aix les Bains is known by Westerners for its soothing hot
springs and alpine skiing. With a gambling history that dates back
to the 19th century, this French town not only lures skiers, but it
also has a thing or two for gamers as well. Visit Casino Grand
Cercle, established in 1850 by King Victor Emmanuel II. What first
began as a modest gambling hall soon became the central meeting
point for the town and has grown into one of France's most
distinguished casinos. A work of art in itself, the casino boasts
gorgeous mosaics on the ceilings. While you're there, take a peek
in the Salon Baccara to see a painting that shows the impact of a
bullet fired by one unlucky player. European Charm, The Vegas Way:
With mountains lingering in the background and Lake Las Vegas at
its feet, the Mediterranean-themed Montelago Village Resort seems
to have captured old world charm, gently placing it in the Las
Vegas desert. Both locals and visitors alike play their game of
choice at the resort's Tuscan-inspired casino, located 17 relaxing
miles from the bright lights of the Strip. The gaming hall features
more than 600 slot machines and also claims bragging rights for the
most 100 percent payback video poker machines in Vegas. Players
also can try their luck at craps, roulette, 3-card poker or
blackjack. If you grow tired of gambling, or perhaps exceed your
limit, meander down the cobblestone path for a fantastic view of
the lake. Wind, Water and a Little Luck: Created with comfort,
style and an element of luck in mind, the Feng Shui-designed
Niagara Fallsview Casino in Ontario could possibly be one of the
luckiest, or at least comfiest, gambling venues around. According
the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, which literally
translates to "wind and water," the proper arrangement of space
leads to harmony within one's environment. Introduce a little good
fortune and a spectacular view of Horseshoe Falls into this
equation and you get an elegant casino for placing your bets.
Further adhering to Chinese philosophy, the casino avoided the
number four in its rooms and floors, designing the structure
without a 4th, 14th, 24th or 34th floor. But, if four happens to be
your lucky number, no worries! It's still on the roulette wheel.
Sunning, Swimming and Wagering: Known for its rockin', rollin' and
partying ways, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino boasts one of the
hippest pools in Sin City. Celebs lounge there. High-rollers play
there. And, everyone who's anyone wants to stay there. This trendy
Las Vegas venue attracts sun junkies with its Beach Club cabanas,
but the swim-up blackjack is what gets gamblers to the pool. Stay
in the water sipping a tropical concoction and place a wager at
Poolside Palapa's blackjack table. There's no place better (or at
the very least, wetter) to play a game of 21 in Las Vegas. Off the
Strip, Into Nature: Situated a good 10 miles off the Las Vegas
strip, Red Rock Casino touts itself as "provocative, playful and
never boring." Its desert location, not far from the Valley of Fire
State Park, makes this resort unlike any other in Sin City.
Picturesque views of Red Rock Canyon create an ambiance that's both
rugged and elegant -- an ideal scene for the high-stakes gambler
who appreciates the great outdoors as well. The gaming hall offers
more than 3,000 of the newest slot and video games, two high-limit
areas and an unbeatable race and sports book. The Birthplace of
Dead Man's Hand: Step into a bit of Wild West history at Saloon No.
10 on Main Street Deadwood to play a hand where Wild Bill Hickok
spent his final minutes. Steeped in Wild West history, Deadwood, SD
emerged as a town known for its gambling and lawlessness during the
Black Hills Gold Rush in the late 1800s. This rough and rowdy town
attracted such notorious characters as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill.
Unfortunately for the iconic Old West figure, the inside of
Deadwood's Saloon No. 10 was the last thing Wild Bill saw before he
was shot down by a rival while playing a hand of poker. According
to the dealer, he was holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights,
all black, which became known as "Dead Man's Hand." You can still
play a hand in this historical saloon, but Wild Bill would likely
recommend that you don't sit with your back to the door. A
Sports-Fanatic's Dream Come True: At Treasure Chest Casino, sports
fans can have their cake and eat it too. Visit this riverboat
gaming hotspot on New Orleans' Lake Pontchartrain to revel and
wager in the Sports Fun Pit. Place bets at one of the table games,
and watch the game on plasma TVs at the same time. Bet high at
Treasure's High Limit slot area; play it safe in the Penny Parlor;
or try your luck with Elvis Progressive Games. While there won't be
an in-house impersonator of "The King," this casino does do "Las
Vegas, New Orleans style." Money Saving Tips -- Plan a gambling
budget before stepping foot into the casino. -- Get up from the
table when you've reached your limit -- don't "chase" your losses.
-- Leave the ATM card behind and only carry cash that you can
afford to lose. -- Keep your gambling bankroll separate from money
for food, tips and other essentials. For more gambling destinations
and tips, go to www.travelocity.com/gambling. About Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler's champion --
before, during and after the trip and guarantees everything about a
customer's booking will be right. If it's not, Travelocity will
work with its partners to make it right, right away. This
customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great
prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the
fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. -- booking $7.4 billion in
travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity
also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM) and GetThere for
corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online
travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel.
Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a
world leader in travel commerce.
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