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After nearly two years at its temporary site at 610 N. Bell School Road, Hard Rock Casino will finally celebrate the grand opening of its permanent facility in Rockford, Illinois, on Thursday, Aug. 29.
In a press statement, Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas expressed gratitude to the Rockford community and the state of Illinois on behalf of the gaming and entertainment brand:
“I’d like to thank the Rockford community and the State of Illinois for welcoming Hard Rock and our unique brand of world-class entertainment to the greater region.”
Key takeaways
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford will celebrate the grand opening of its permanent facility on Aug. 29, 2024.
- The new facility will generate significant economic benefits, including over 400 jobs.
- The company anticipates further revenue growth with the new facility.
- A recent tax hike on online sports betting to generate revenue for the state leads our industry experts to believe the next step in Illinois could be to legalize online casinos for an additional gaming revenue stream.
What to anticipate for the Hard Rock Casino grand opening
As they open the doors at exactly 3 p.m., guests will be greeted with the excitement of a “star-studded Guitar Smash,” a signature celebration style of the casino.
Hard Rock Rockford casino began constructing the permanent facility in September 2022, aiming for completion in 2023. However, this timeline shifted, with the grand launch now scheduled for 2024.
“We are extremely proud of our team members who helped make our initial Opening Act location a success, and we welcome all those new to the team who have worked so hard preparing for this long-awaited day. It’s been 30 years in the making for Rockford, and the wait is over.
We are excited to welcome guests to our house to showcase and expand the legendary Hard Rock brand,” Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, added.
Located off the I-90 State Street exit at 7801 E. State Street in Rockford, the facility, which still has its regulatory approval pending, will feature:
- Over 175,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, and hospitality space
- Close to 1,300 slot machines
- 50 live table games
- A poker room
- State-of-the-art sportsbook
- Six different dining options
- A rock shop
New casino in Rockford brings employment boom
When a new facility comes to town, it generates employment opportunities during the construction phase and once it’s operational. Now, Hard Rock Rockford is urging residents of the Prairie State to seize this opportunity as they seek to hire over 400 staff members.
“The economic impact of this casino will provide hundreds of new jobs and boost the entertainment options for anyone living near or visiting Rockford. We are thrilled to welcome this new property to our global portfolio of over 300 Hard Rock venues.”
Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International Jon Lucas
Early this year, Forbes recognized Hard Rock International as one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023, marking the seventh time it has received this honor. This comes at the heels of the company’s $100 million investment to raise the wages and salaries of its US workforce.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s expansion promises revenue growth
With a larger facility, the company anticipates more patrons, as the new location will accommodate up to 2,000 guests in its entertainment venue. This translates to increased revenue.
Despite beginning the year with unimpressive earnings, Hard Rock Casino Rockford managed to stabilize in the months following January. The temporary location generated $6.6 million in May 2024 gaming revenue in IL. That equates to a 6.0% month-over-month increase from April’s $6.2 million.
Illinois isn’t the only state ready to welcome a permanent Hard Rock Casino location this year. On June 5, the company announced a delay for the grand opening of the permanent location for Hard Rock Bristol, Virginia, to later this year.
