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Casinos

Gaming has been a prominent industry and form of amusement in the Joliet community since the summer of 1992. The first on board to receive a gaming license in the area was the Empress Casino Joliet, followed soon after by the Harrah’s Joliet Casino.

Combined, the two casinos offer thousands of square feet of gaming space comprised of well over 2,000 exciting slots and table games suitable for virtually every skill level and interest. Vibrant entertainment, delicious dining, comfortable and convenient on-site accommodations, ample space ideal for business functions and an assortment of special events round out the opportunities available through both gaming facilities.

But Joliet’s casinos offer much, much more than the above. Both the Empress and Harrah’s Casinos play significant roles in the community, working continuously with local businesses, organizations and institutions to provide programs, services and funding designed to promote a higher quality of life in Joliet. With the establishment of these businesses, the city has been able to create and institute a number of projects with the aid of casino gaming revenue. In fact, more than 90 percent of gaming revenue is put back into the community—quite an impressive statistic!

Learn more about each casino’s contributions to the city of Joliet below.

Harrah's Joliet Casino
151 North Joliet Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
1-800-HARRAHS
www.harrahs.com

Harrah’s recently celebrated 15 years in the Joliet community this past May, and it has certainly made its mark in the area through its various initiatives.

Through a multitude of charitable donations, volunteerism, sponsorships and partnerships, Harrah’s has provided numerous opportunities within Joliet.

Most recently, the casino donated $75,000 to three local charities. “We donated $25,000 to A Silver Lining Foundation, Will/Grundy County for disability learning and the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago,” explained Jim Grady of Harrah’s Joliet Casino. The donations were given at a charity luncheon in the spring of 2008.

In April of 2007, Harrah’s established its Rewards Around Town Program. “[Through this program] we began partnering with local and national businesses, offering our customers a larger variety of gifts that they could redeem with their Total Rewards card in Joliet,” said Grady. “Since its start, this program has grown tremendously, having sold more than 4,000 items in 2007 alone, and was even adopted by Harrah’s St. Louis.” To date, Harrah’s has partnered with Bolingbrook Golf Course, Rialto Square Theatre, Kohl’s, Walgreens, Aurelio’s Pizza, The Richard Petty Driving Experience and others on this successful program.

Further relations on a national level include partnerships with the Meals on Wheels Association of America, United Way and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Empress Casino Joliet
2300 Empress Drive
Joliet, Illinois 60436
1-888-4EMPRESS
www.argosy.com

Recently voted as the “Best Place to Gamble” by the Star and Daily Southtown newspapers, the Empress Casino has been a significant force in the Joliet community, as well as the surrounding Chicagoland area. Last Christmas, the casino participated in the Toys on Parade campaign, helping to ensure the area’s underprivileged youth enjoyed the gifts of Christmas. The Empress has also engaged in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from Joliet’s Toys for Tots campaign.

As of November 2007, the casino has donated more than $178,000 to local organizations and educational institutions—and that number is continually rising as it participates in more area initiatives. The Empress’ 2007 charitable donations have gone to such entities as the American Cancer Society, Wish Upon a Star Foundation, Easter Seals, United Way, Senior Services Center of Will County, Lewis University, Joliet Junior College, University of St. Francis and the United Negro College Fund.