Fire-damaged casino could lose millions weekly

There's still no official word about when the fire-damaged Empress Casino in Joliet will reopen.

But what is clear is that it's losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each day it remains closed.

Based on 2008 figures, the Empress could be losing more than a half million dollars a day.

Illinois Gaming Board reports show the casino made $184 million in gambling revenue last year. That's around $500,000 a day.

The taxman is missing out, too.

The state pulled in around $52 million in taxes from the Empress last year, or around $145,000 a day. And the city of Joliet collected nearly $11 million, or about $30,000 a day.

Friday's fire started in a pavilion area. The main part of the Egyptian-themed gambling barge saw only minor damage.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=280497">Heavy fire damage at Empress Casino in Joliet <span class="date">[03/20/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=280760">Impact of Joliet casino fire still unknown <span class="date">[03/22/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>