Ready To Rock? IGB Says Not Yet, Will Vote On Hard Rock Casino Rockford In February

Written By Joe Boozell on January 27, 2021

Hard Rock Casino Rockford presented to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) on Wednesday, and a preliminary decision on suitability will be announced on February 4.

While it may not be the ultimate approval, obtaining a formal endorsement is a crucial first step in starting any development project.

The 2019 gaming expansion bill allows for the building of six new casinos in Illinois, but the development has been moving at a sluggish pace.

In October 2019, several groups submitted their applications, expecting the IGB to make a decision within a year. However, in October of this year, the IGB decided to delay their decision and asked eight applicants to make revisions to their applications.

Hard Rock was one of those who aspired.

If given the green light on February 4, it is probable that one of the biggest gaming companies in the US will make a trip to Illinois.

What is known about the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford?

The Hard Rock Casino Rockford website is live and operational, providing visitors with essential information upon arrival.

I am thankful to the Rockford community for their support and enthusiasm for the Hard Rock Casino Rockford. The casino, located at the intersection of State Street and I-90, is expected to have 64,000 square feet of gaming space, various dining options, and a live hard rock music venue. The project will create over 1,000 part-time and full-time jobs and bring in at least $7 million in yearly gaming revenue for the City of Rockford.

The casino’s estimated yearly tax revenue, as reported on the website, falls between $50 million and $60 million.

The construction project was estimated to be worth approximately $310 million.

Officials confirmed that a temporary gaming establishment opened about 90 days after receiving final approval, offering only games.

The game is considering adding a 1,600-seat entertainment area in the future. The selected location appears to be ideal, with the website reporting a daily traffic of 65,000 cars.

Currently, the closest gambling establishments to Rockford are the Hollywood Casino Aurora and the Grand Victoria Casino Elgin.

Nevertheless, both are separated by roughly ninety minutes.

The city of Rockford, located in northern Illinois, is the fifth largest in the state with a population of around 147,000 people.

Another innovative games, what about them?

Although the growth in Rockford may soon provide valuable information, there are still other applicants waiting.

Along with Hard Rock, the software of the following organizations had to be modified in October:

American Place, which is owned by Full House Resorts, Inc., holds a license in Waukegan.
Lakeside Casino, LLC (with Waukegan License) and North Point Casino
Southland LIVE, LLC, operating under the name Live & nbsp, possesses a South Suburban License.
LLC South Suburban License
Williamson County License for Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.
South Suburban License – Wind Creek, LLC

Because there are so many candidates applying for the same position, it seems that the job in Rockford is less intricate compared to other locations.

At the table conference on Wednesday, the IGB announced that Full House Resorts, Inc. must resubmit its application.

In October, IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter stated that applications can anticipate a decision within six months, likely by April.

In the future, gambling should be expanded to two additional locations that were not previously considered: Danville and Chicago.

Golden Nugget is set to acquire the Danville license, while the downtown Chicago casino is still in the process of finalizing several details, such as its exact location.

The Hard Rock Casino Rockford is currently in the lead to become the eleventh gaming establishment to be built in Illinois.

Games in Illinois reopen

In response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in mid-November, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker ordered the closure of all Illinois casinos. Now, casinos in Illinois have reopened with varying levels of restrictions in place.

Here are the top ten financial games in Lincoln County: