WE know many readers find Las Vegas a stellar attraction. They’re lured by what they consider glitter and glamour of Nevada’s casinos.Much closer to home, in a setting far different, await a collection of very remarkable casinos surprisingly located amid the special mood and ambience of French-Canadian Quebec Province.

Several factors set these beauties far apart from any casino you may have encountered. For starters, they’re more European in character, the comfortable exchange rate (around $1.12 Canadian to the US dollar at press time) makes money go farther, and there’s so much to see in surrounding areas, it will give a new dimension to your holiday.

Another factor that caught our immediate attention when we interviewed some Casinos-Quebec officials is the fact that they’re all government owned and operated. Profits go to funding provincial projects and charities.

So if you don’t come up a winner, it’s some consolation that at least you know your money is being used in some helpful way.

Both Quebec and Montreal are such exceptional, standout destinations, they’re truly locations that have something for everyone.

Our visits there started while we were children and many encore trips still leave much to see, as well as favoured attractions worth repeating.

This week, we’ll focus on the three government-operated casinos that are unique in the gambling world.

There’s absolutely nothing ordinary about any of them. Many millions were spent in their development and their popularity in Canada is immense.

Let’s start with one that has a Bermuda connection. Le Manoir Richelieu was originally built by the Canadian Pacific in 1899 as one of its widely acclaimed “grande dames”.

Destroyed by fire in 1928, it was rebuilt in the luxurious baronial style of a Norman chateau and later acquired by Fairmont.

Now, with a $140-million refurbishment and expansion, Manoir Richelieu offers 455 rooms and suites decorated in country manor house style. Dramatic views of the St. Lawrence River and beautifully landscaped gardens are part of its appealK>Readers<$> know what class operations exist at both Bermuda Fairmont properties. Expect the same level of quality here. It will come as no surprise that it ranks just behind Fairmont’s famed Banff Springs Hotel in 45th place on Conde Naste’s ranking of the top 75 North American resort properties.You’re only minutes from its highly-rated 27-hole golf club, chosen “Golf Resort of the Year in 2000”, by Canada’s Golf Ranking magazine. It was inaugurated by US President William Howard Taft in 1925.

This is one of those dramatic beauties where it can be hard to concentrate on your golf game since vistas out over the St. Lawrence are so distracting.

Visualise its setting. The Casino de Charlevoix is built on cliffs of Pointe-au-Pic high above the river just footsteps from the hotel.

So exceptional is the location of this property, the entire area is part of a region classified as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve because of its beautifully preserved natural setting.

The casino, nearly 70,000 feet in size, offers more than 800 slot machines, 25 gaming tables, Keno Lounge and high-limit lounge and gaming area, plus a list of other offerings from Pai Gow Poker and Sic Bo to craps and Caribbean Stud Poker.

Add a savvy assortment of award-winning restaurants, long list of activities, health spa, sports centre and easy accessibility to Quebec City only 90 miles distant, and there’s enough to fill your days to capacity.

While Casino de Charlevoix was designed to complement adjoining Manoir Richelieu’s Norman architecture, Casino de Montreal is dramatically 21st century.

Located on the Ile Notre Dame, site of Expo 67, it too has an unusual location. It utilises buildings used as the French and Quebec Pavilions during that very popular World’s Fair.

We had been there in the autumn of 1966 and got a preview of what is still a very impressive site.

But that was an encore visit, following visits there as youngsters as part of our parents’ programme to share their extensive travels with us. That casino design still looks incredibly futuristic even all these years later. It became a casino 13 years ago with $290 million spent on its evolution from exhibition centre to luxury gaming centre.

Locals immediately labelled it “a great diamond in the sky” and en route to attend a cocktail reception there a few years ago, it was easy to see why, especially at night. Its innovative design resembles a many-faceted jewel.

Its gaming area covers more than 100,000 feet. There are some 3,200 slot machines, more than 120 gaming tables, including roulette, baccarat and blackjack.

The list is a long one . . . Royal Ascot electronic horse racing tracks, high- limit gaming area, private gaming lounge and VIP player lounge and a Keno Lounge.

Add a 500-seat cabaret and four restaurants, including Nuances, which has a five-diamond rating, one of only seven in Canada.

Third in this popular collection is very modern $330-million Casino du Lac Leamy, only two and a half miles from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, but in Quebec Province.

It, too, has a theatre (1,000 seats), plus a conference centre and 60 gaming tables include everything from roulette and baccarat to Caribbean Stud and Grand Prix Poker, plus more than 1,800 slot machines, a high-limit gaming area and 5,000 diamond-rated Baccara RestauranThis urban resort is connected to Hilton’s Lac Leamy Hotel with 349 rooms and suites. On the shores of Lac Leamy, the property even has its own marina.Canadian casinos are quite different in mood and atmosphere than those in Las Vegas.

“We like to have an area that is not cramped, less noisy,” explained a casino official.

“People don’t feel as rushed or that they are even in a casino environment.”

Slot machines are not presented with bells and whistles . . . it’s more relaxed than the usual “frenzy of activity” one finds in Vegas.

Another interesting fact . . . your winnings are tax-free in Canada, something definitely not true in many places.

Next week we’ll do a quick flyover, jet-like trip around the Province, pointing out some of the attractions that make it unique.

Hopefully, we’ll be back later with a more in-depth look at some of its charms in time for its 400th anniversary next year, when many special events are planned.

It’s easy to be headquartered at one of these properties and spend your days enjoying all the region’s sights, then return in the evening to try your luck at the gaming tables.

Those who have not yet decided on how to spend their Cup Match holiday might find this very worth considering.

Air Canada has non-stop flights from Bermuda to Toronto with easy connections to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa.

For more information check www.casinos-quebec.com and www.loto-quebec.com.

[obox] N week:<$> An overview of Quebec Province’s many specials attractions