On May 5, 1993, Access World News (
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"New Gambling Boat Sets Sail Out of Joliet
Chicago Sun-Times (IL) (Published as Chicago Sun-Times) - May 5, 1993
Author/Byline: Andrew HerrmannEdition: LATE SPORTS FINALSection: NEWSPage: 78
The Chicago area's second gambling boat opened for business Tuesday amid the lure of a big payoff for gamblers, local officials and state authorities.
Hours after getting approval by the Illinois Gaming Board, Harrah's Casinos launched the Northern Star on the Des Plaines River in downtown Joliet. It joins the Empress River Casino, which opened south of Joliet last June.
The 210-foot yacht's first two cruises were sold out, serving about 2,000 people who were hoping to play one of the vessel's 500 slot machines or gamble at one of its 40 tables.
Three cruises will operate during the week, and six gambling sessions will be available on the weekends. Admission ranges from $10 to $18.
The Northern Star brings the total of gambling boats in Illinois to six. Boats also operate in Alton, Peoria, East Dubuque near Galena and Metropolis.
By the end of the year, the Chicago area will have six boats: A second Harrah's boat is scheduled to open in downtown Joliet this fall; a second Empress boat is scheduled for launch later this year, and two boats are scheduled to open in Aurora next month.
Tim Wilmott, vice president and general manager of Harrah's Joliet operation, said the two Joliet boats will employ nearly 1,000 people, with an annual payroll of $20 million to $25 million.
Joliet officials have estimated the original Empress boat was generating $850,000 a month for the town, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago.
Three more suburban areas - Elgin, West Dundee and unincorporated Lake County near Antioch - are vying with Downstate contenders for a final state-approved gambling boat.
Riverboat gambling has not been without its costs, however. Chicago Gambler's Anonymous reports calls to its (312) 346-1588 phone number have doubled, to 300 a month, since the advent of riverboat gambling. Gambler losses have ranged from $77 per person per day in Joliet to $34 per person in East Dubuque.
Tuesday evening's casino cruises from downtown Joliet were the first by a riverboat in the United States owned and operated by a major casino company. Harrah's operates casinos in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin and Reno, Nevada, and in Atlantic City, N.J. Its Memphis, Tenn.-based parent company, the Promus Cos. Inc., also owns and operates three hotel chains: Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites.
"It's a sure bet that Joliet and Harrah's will make a great team," Wilmott said.
By this summer, officials hope to complete a dockside pavilion that will feature two restaurants. A parking garage is being completed, after which the schedule of cruises will escalate to six a day, 365 days a year."