Grochowski back in the Sun-Times gaming seat

Well, hello again. It's been nearly five years since I last looked out at you from this space, and we have much to catch up on.

I've never really been away from the casino scene, as you know if you've listened to my Beat the Odds Tips on WBBM-AM (780); read my syndicated column that has continued to run in our Sun-Times Media sister paper, the Post-Tribune; checked out Midwest Gaming and Travel, Casino Journal or Slot Manager magazines, or visited my Web site, casinoanswerman.com.

Still, it's a different casino world than it was five years ago:

• We've seen property changes, with new facilities at Horseshoe in Hammond and Blue Chip in Michigan City, name changes in East Chicago (Harrah's to Resorts to Ameristar) and Gary (Trump to Majestic Star II), and a fire that set back a major spruce-up at Empress Joliet.

• We've seen changes in the legal landscape with a ban on smoking in public facilities in Illinois, legalization of video poker in Illinois bars and restaurants and, at last, the awarding to Des Plaines of the casino license that has sat dormant since East Dubuque's Silver Eagle closed in 1997.

The smoking ban has meant a steeper downturn for Illinois casinos than those in neighboring states. We'll see how soon the video poker expansion, which figures to be a regulatory nightmare, gets off the ground. And with construction in Des Plaines due to begin in March, it looks like we have another year to wait.

• Penny slots, just starting to make an impact five years ago, have become the hottest, fastest-growing games in casinos today.

Slot technology in general has leaped ahead, with shared bonus community-style slot machines and multi-layered 3-D screens carving their niches.

• On the table games side, the success of Shuffle Master's Rapid Roulette has encouraged the development of more games using touch screens for wagering. Blackjack with a human dealer and physical cards, but a touch screen for wagering, slot-like bonuses and side bets? Get ready.

Along with exploring the changing landscapes at local casinos and the games we play, I'll be taking a close look at games, strategies and ways to get the most bang for your buck.

If any questions pop up along the way, send me an e-mail. We have so much to catch up on.

John Grochowski's Beat the Odds tips air Saturdays at 6:20 a.m., 2:50 p.m. and 7:41 p.m. and Sundays at 8:20 a.m., 2:50 p.m. and 10:42 p.m. on WBBM-AM (780). E-mail casinoanswerman@casinoanswerman.com.