Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois To Add Sports Betting

    Rockford
    Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 28, 2023

    The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois, is facing delays in opening its sportsbook and online sports betting app by the year’s end due to prolonged internal control procedure evaluations.

    Geno Iafrate, President of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, explained that they need the Illinois Gaming Commission’s (IGB) approval for their internal control procedures before launching the sportsbook.

    According to the Rockford Register Star, he expressed optimism about meeting the year-end target after working through the final steps with the IGB.

    The Hard Rock Opening Act plans to situate the sportsbook next to its Rock River Bar & Grill, offering a sports bar ambience where visitors can enjoy beer, bet on games and watch them.

    The setup will include digital betting options, two manned betting windows and multiple automated sports betting kiosks. Additionally, a bank of televisions will display various sports programming.

    In July, the Illinois Gaming Board authorized the Hard Rock Opening Act to operate the sportsbook at 610 N. Bell School Road, granting licenses to 815 Entertainment LLC.

    The licensing was granted to the casino’s ownership group and Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC, responsible for online sports wagering in Illinois via an app.

    However, despite these authorizations, the sports betting launch is delayed as they await the completion of necessary regulatory approvals, certifications and testing.

    The IGB, preoccupied with opening three new casinos during the summer and reviewing other sportsbooks in the state, is actively collaborating with Hard Rock Casino Rockford and Seminole

    Hard Rock Digital to ensure a comprehensive and efficient regulatory process, as stated by IGB Director of Communications Beth Kaufman.

    The Illinois market currently includes 15 casinos and ten sportsbooks, with casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering collectively contributing over $1.4 billion in tax revenue to the state and local communities last year.

    To date, sportsbooks in Illinois have amassed a cumulative profit of $1.96 billion, and they are poised to surpass the $2 billion milestone in the upcoming month.

    Currently, Casino Queen East in St. Louis is the site with the most reported handle, with $7,912,863,423, for a total reported revenue of $516,899,237 and tax revenue of $81,565,036.