Gov. Pritzker Announces Opening of Hard Rock Casino in Rockford
Will create 1,200 new jobs, generate tens of millions in new revenue to fund infrastructure, provide tax relief
August 29, 2024
ROCKFORD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Rockford leadership, the Illinois Gaming Board, and stakeholders to officially open Rockford’s new Hard Rock Casino, where 900 new jobs have already been created, 300 new jobs are anticipated with the opening of the soon to be constructed hotel, and tens of millions in projected revenue will be dedicated to local infrastructure funding.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate another major economic win for the people of Illinois with the new Rockford Hard Rock Casino,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This state and local tax revenue helps ensure the city can meet their obligations and build for the future while alleviating the burden on Rockford taxpayers.”
The 180,000-square-foot casino opens to the public on August 29 after years of construction and planning, and includes:
- 65,000 sq ft in gaming space
- 1,300 slot machines
- 44 table games
- the Hard Rock Live theatre - which can accommodate up to 2,000 people.
The temporary Hard Rock facility, which opened in November 2021, generated nearly $40 million in state and local taxes, ensuring additional revenue to invest back into infrastructure improvements and capital projects.
The introductory performance included dancers, musicians, and a Color Guard, and concluded with guests smashing guitars (instead of cutting a ribbon) to welcome 1,400 audience members to the brand new facility.
“Rockford became the first community to host a new casino following enactment of the landmark gaming expansion law (with the 2021 opening of the temporary casino) and the permanent Hard Rock Casino Rockford is the sixth Illinois casino to open since 2021,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “I congratulate the Hard Rock Rockford team for their hard work and cooperation with Gaming Board staff to open and operate a new facility that will meet Illinois’ high standards for casino integrity, compliance and safety while generating critical revenue for Rockford and surrounding communities.”
“Rockford is celebrating a huge win today with the opening of the long-awaited and much-desired Hard Rock Casino. Governor JB Pritzker and our local delegation - Senator Steve Stadelman, Senator Dave Syverson and Representative Maurice West – were instrumentally in making this dream a reality,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “As the doors to the permanent casino open, I’m thrilled to welcome our residents and visitors to this incredible facility full of world-class gaming, dining and entertainment.”
Illinois is home to 15 casinos, more than 8,600 licensed video gaming establishments and 14 active sportsbooks. Casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering generated more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue to the state and local communities in calendar year 2023.
The IGB serves as the state regulatory and law enforcement agency, overseeing all licensed casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering operations to ensure the integrity and safety of Illinois gaming while generating revenue for the state and gaming host communities.
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