Chicago Sun-Times: Area's best casino? Cast your vote now

Who has the best blackjack in the Chicago area? The best slot machines? Best service?

Which casino is the best overall?

You've been reading my thoughts on gaming here for 6 1/2 years. Now I'm asking for yours. Check out the categories that follow, then let me know your choices in the first "Best of Chicago Gaming" poll. I'll report results and add a few comments of my own here on July 28.

Keep your selections to local casinos-Harrah's and Empress in Joliet, Grand Victoria in Elgin, Hollywood in Aurora, Trump and Majestic Star in Gary, Harrah's in East Chicago and Empress in Hammond. Feel free to add comments via e-mail or on a separate sheet of paper as you ponder the following categories:

BEST BLACKJACK:

BEST CRAPS:

BEST ROULETTE:

BEST BACCARAT:

BEST CARIBBEAN STUD:

BEST TABLE POKER:

BEST OVERALL TABLE GAMES:

BEST REEL-SPINNING SLOTS:

BEST VIDEO SLOTS:

BEST OVERALL SLOTS:

BEST VIDEO POKER:

BEST DEALERS:

BEST SERVICE:

BEST COMPS:

BEST PLAYERS' CLUB:

BEST BUFFET:

BEST STEAK HOUSE:

BEST OVERALL FOOD SERVICE:

BEST HOTEL:

BEST SELF-PARKING:

BEST VALET PARKING:

BEST OVERALL CASINO:

Voters may e-mail choices to me at BetKol@aol.com, or snail mail ballots to John Grochowski, WeekendPlus, Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Deadline is July 14. Ballots sent through the mail must be postmarked and e-mail ballots received by July 14. You must be 21 or over to participate.

PROJECT 21: I had the pleasure recently to join Joliet director of planning Donald Fisher, Herald News regional editor Jan Larsen, Empress Joliet manager of public/community relations Mary Phalen and Harrah's Joliet public relations manager Bridget Domberg as judges in the annual Project 21 poster and essay contest. The contest, co- sponsored by Harrah's and Empress, awards college scholarships to Joliet students who submit the best posters and essays on the topic of underage gambling. In each category, first place is worth a $1,000 scholarship and honorable mention worth $500.

In the essay division, Stacey Muren took first place and Dustyn Martincich took honorable mention. Both are recent graduates of Joliet Catholic Academy. Helen Larimore, who will be a Joliet Central senior this fall, was first in the poster division, with honorable mentions going to recent graduates Erin Fitzgerald of Joliet Central and Jillian Inserra of Joliet Catholic.

Participating schools are asked to display winning posters and publish winning essays in the school newspapers. It's a worthy effort to bring the issue to those under the legal gambling age.

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E-mail John Grochowski at BetKol@aol.com