In the early 1990s, construction company owner T.J. Lambrecht believed that a riverboat casino in Joliet could thrive, a risky idea at the time.

The casino made extensive use of the Egyptian theme including several pyramids on top of the entertainment complex, a large recreation of the Sphinx and faux hieroglyphics along the sides of the building.

The fire burned above the sprinkler systems reach in what are known as void spaces, inside walls and above hung ceilings.

The month before the fire the casino paid a reported $837,000 in taxes to the city along with $1.8 million to the state of Illinois.

[8] In a press conference after the fire the Empress Casino said it was losing $500,000 in revenue every day it remained closed.

The new casino, still owned by Penn National Gaming, abandoned the Egyptian theme for an art-deco Hollywood styling.

Unlike the casino the hotel did not undergo any significant renovations and still retains the Egyptian exterior styling.

On October 23, 2012, lawyers representing the former Empress Casino filed a lawsuit against the six companies involved in the renovations at the time of the fire.

The lawsuit claimed $83.5 million in damages resulting from 11 counts of negligence and willful and wanton conduct.

The suit cites the architect, engineer, and supplier for failure to include sprinkler systems in the attic and truss spaces.