"I had seen the casinos numerous times, rising into Sunday-morning skies, but I had never seen their neon against the dark hillsides on a Saturday night, never mind from a seat at one of their tables. Sure, I blew a couple of dollars on slot machines in Atlantic City when I went to support a friend's sister in the 2001 Miss America Pageant. And I got in a couple of hands of blackjack and a few rounds on the penny slots when I met up with some college friends in Las Vegas two years ago. I ended that weekend up $3.50. But I've lived in Escondido for three years without gambling at any of the tribal casinos that dot the byways of North County's backcountry. I've even written articles about the gaming industry, a growing part of Southern California's tourism sector, without ever having my chips on the table. My new editor seemed a little surprised when I told him that. So when he suggested that I spend the better part of a Saturday in the six casinos owned by local tribes ---- the Palas, the Paumas, the Rincons, the San Pasquals, the Santa Ysabels and the Pechangas, it seemed like a good idea." Get the Story:
Chris Bagley: Diary of a rookie gambler (The North County Times 8/23) Related Story: Improving the odds (The North County Times 8/23)