The Empress Casino opened on June 16, 1992, as a riverboat type casino in Joliet, Illinois. Using a portion of his own money, he and a group of investors created Empress Casino. Lambrecht believed that a riverboat casino in Joliet could thrive, a risky idea at the time.

In the early 1990s construction company owner T.J. It was destroyed by a fire on March 20, 2009. Lambrecht, Empress Casino become one of the first riverboat casinos in Illinois. Built in the 1990s by a group of investors headed by T.J. Penn National Gaming (2004-2009 its destruction)Īrgosy's Empress Casino (also known as Empress Casino Joliet) was a Riverboat casino and hotel located in Joliet, Illinois. Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation (1999-2001) It displays the casinos official logo and now belongs to a private collector. Hollywood Casino is asking for up to $50 million in funds from the city, which is all subject to final approval by the Aurora City Council.The flag pictured is currently the only one know to have survived the fire that destroyed the Empress Casino. The Aurora Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed move, issuing a statement that says in part, 'We are excited to see the progress that is coming from many long months of discussion.and are looking forward to continued collaboration between businesses like Hollywood Casino - Aurora and city government.' The proposal includes a casino with around 900 slot machines, 50 live table games, the Barstool Sportsbook and a 200-room hotel and event center with restaurants and a spa.

But casinos no longer need to be on the water, and the owners want to move it to a higher traffic area of town near I-88 and Farnsworth Avenue. The casino has been located downtown on the Fox River since it opened nearly 30 years ago in 1993. Before they voted, members of the public - both in favor and against the casino plans - had the chance to weigh in. The council approved the plan by unanimous vote. (WLS) - The new Hollywood Casino Resort has been approved by the Aurora City Council. The Aurora City Council unanimously approved plans to move and expand the Hollywood Casino.ĪURORA, Ill.

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