Gambling in Chicago

By the time you read this, Gov. Pat Quinn may have signed into law a bill that would bring slot machines to both local airports and five new casinos to the state, including one in downtown Chicago. Yes, the odds of our dog winning the World Series of Poker are probably better than the chances of all that getting the green light. A safer bet: The Chicago casino Rahm is pushing for will be approved—Quinn has said he’s open to the idea. Between that, the new Rivers Casino near O’Hare and legalized poker machines coming soon to Illinois taverns, gambling is having a moment. We chime in with local casino picks, tales from inside the biz and a look at the psychology behind the gaming floor—insights that, whether poker pro or slot player, you’ll want to have up your sleeve.