The Illinois Gaming Commission this week decided to approve Hard Rock International to begin construction of its Hard Rock Casino in Rockford. The construction can start on a temporary location as a license has not yet been fully approved for the facility.
World Casino Directory News states that the vote by the gaming commission is a strong step in the right direction for Hard Rock. This will clear the way for investors to arrange the financing process, start construction of the site and to order the slot machines, etc.
The temporary location is Giovanni's on North Bell School Road and will cost $310 million to build. It is expected that 1,200 employment positions will be opening at the facility. Construction alone will create about 1,000 positions.
"We are grateful to the state and the Illinois Gaming Board for their support of the project and for allowing the process to get one step closer to reality. We have a lot of work to do to complete this process, and we are excited at what lies ahead, as we know the city of Rockford is as well, with respect to the jobs and revenues this project will create."
Chief operating office for Hard Rock International | John Lucas
The Rockford City Council approved the plan in October of 2019, after a presentation by Hard Rock International. Proposals were also provided by Forest City Casino and Rock River West Casino Group.
Once a license is approved, construction can begin at the permanent location on the former Clock Tower Resort property on East State Street.
Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier that year sign a gambling expansion bill making it possible for a casino to be created in six areas of Illinois. Rockford is among the listed areas. The Gaming Board had until October of 2020 to deny or approve a project. The approval process was delayed due to the pandemic as meetings had to be postponed.
According to the Rockford Register Star, Dan Fischer, chief investor and owner of Dotty's Gambling Cafe chain stated that the proposed permanent site of the project is the former Clock Tower Resort. The Hard Rock brand will transform this iconic piece of property that has local historical significance, tremendous visibility and access from I-90 with nearly 70,000 cars per day.
Fischer also stated that he expects a temporary slots-only casino to open at Giovanni's Restaurant and Convention Center within 90 days of approval while construction will begin on the permanent site.
Before opening, there would have to be a "final practice gaming session" held at the casino. The board or its staff would observe the operations of the casino to make sure it complies with state laws and standards. If this is successful, a final license would be considered afterwards.
Rockford had sought state approval for a casino for decades before it finally broke through in 2019.
On January 27, 2021, Hard Rock became the first of the state's six proposed casinos to present its case for a "preliminary suitability determination" before the Gaming Board.
