The approval of plans for a temporary casino at an old restaurant site by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) last week brings the Hard Rock Casino Rockford one step closer to obtaining an official license.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara issued a statement on Friday.
We are thrilled to be the first of the six approved games for development in 2019 to begin building. This achievement is a significant source of motivation for our team!
Is the casino industry in Illinois gaining steam?
In 2019, the gaming package in Illinois allows for the development of six new casinos at specific locations.
- Rockford
- Waukegan
- County of Williamson
- Danville
- Chicago
- South neighbourhoods
In February, the IGB determined that Hard Rock Rockford was “preliminarily suitable” for a license. Likewise, Walker’s Bluff Casino in Williamson County received a similar preliminary suitability designation earlier this month.
The development of new casinos in Illinois has been moving slowly overall, but the Hard Rock Rockford project is the most advanced among them.
R-Rockford State Senator Dave Syverson has stated that construction for the Hard Rock Illinois project could potentially start as soon as next week. Syverson, a vocal advocate for the project, has previously expressed frustration with the slow progress of the IGB.
For more than two decades, I have dedicated my efforts to making this project a reality, fully understanding the substantial economic benefits it would bring to the community. It is truly rewarding to see this project gaining traction after all these years.
Syverson indicated that the temporary Hard Rock Casino site could be in operation for up to two years. The Rockford Register Star noted that the construction of this temporary facility is expected to be finished in approximately three months.
In April, the IGB denied Hard Rock’s request for a temporary casino after learning that the owner of Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, the planned location for the casino, had been involved in a shooting incident in 2020 that was not previously disclosed.
815 Entertainment, the designer of the project, acquired the building in order to address the problem.
What information is available about Hard Rock Casino Rockford?
The permanent casino being built at the intersection of State Street and I-90 is projected to have a price tag of approximately $310 million.
The temporary facility is located just under a mile from That & rsquo. The current setup features a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and a gaming space spanning 64,000 square feet.
Additionally, Hard Rock has committed to contributing a minimum of $7 million per year from Rockford’s gaming revenue. The new Illinois casino is projected to create more than 1,000 full-time and part-time positions in total.
Without a doubt, Hard Rock Rockford is the top contender to be the next gaming facility constructed in Illinois.
a competition with the Wisconsin game
In late March, Governor Tony Evers approved a $405 million casino project in Beloit, which is about 20 miles away from Rockford.
As a result, the two games will be in competition for customers. Thus, a successful initial launch could lead to substantial long-term rewards.
Therefore, Syverson expressed his optimism that the information regarding Beloit blackjack would prompt the IGB to take action. Additionally, he stated:
If Wisconsin starts allowing casinos before us, it will be difficult to entice people to visit our casinos once they are accustomed to the experience there.
It is unclear whether a game in Wisconsin sparked the IGB to speed up their work, but Friday marked a significant moment for the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford.
The IGB decided to take action to prevent Wisconsin from losing potential tax revenue. It appears that the Hard Rock temporary casino may be the second to enter the market.
