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The opening of the temporary Hard Rock Rockford casino in October is proceeding as planned, and the hiring process for employees has begun in preparation for the grand opening.
The Nordlof Center will host a job fair on Friday and Saturday, August 13-14, starting at noon. Candidates are invited to attend a two-hour presentation.
There are numerous job openings at Hard Rock, including positions in accounting and slot operations.
In order to attend, job-seekers must RSVP.
The interim casino is expected to operate for approximately two years until the completion of the permanent facility. Located at Giovanni’s on East State Street and Bell School Road, the site is currently undergoing an $8 million renovation.
Although it seems inevitable that the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) will approve the permanent casino, the decision has not been made official.
This is the information we have about the Hard Rock Casino Rockford.
Hard Rock is one step away from full IGB approval
In February, the IGB determined that Hard Rock Casino Rockford was “preliminarily suitable” for a license, but this does not guarantee final approval.
In June, the board granted approval for the temporary Hard Rock casino. The final approval for Hard Rock is expected to be received in the coming months.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara released the following statement after the IGB approved the temporary casino.
Out of the six approved casinos in the 2019 casino expansion bill, we are proud to announce that we are the first to start construction. This marks a significant milestone for us.
It is highly likely that Hard Rock Rockford will be the next casino constructed in Illinois, with Walker’s Bluff Casino in Williamson County also being considered as a potential option, although it is significantly behind in terms of progress compared to Hard Rock.
The estimated cost of the Hard Rock project is approximately $310 million, and it will be located at the intersection of State Street and I-90.
The new casino will have 64,000 square feet of gaming area and a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue. Rockford ranks as the fifth most populous city in Illinois.
Hard Rock a dark horse for Chicago casino license?
Although Rush Street is currently the frontrunner for the Chicago casino license, there is a possibility that Hard Rock could also enter the bidding process.
Several major gaming companies like MGM, Wynn, and Caesars have withdrawn from the process, but Hard Rock responded to the city’s Request For Information and has since stayed silent.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has decided to extend the application deadline, originally set for Aug. 23, in order to provide potential bidders with additional time to review the project.
It is confirmed that Hard Rock has some interest, however, it is uncertain if their interest will lead to the submission of a proposal. There is a possibility that Hard Rock may provide competition for Rush Street.
