By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 07/01/2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Grand Opening of Hard Rock Rockford
It was recently revealed that the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois will hold its grand opening in late summer. After almost two years of operating from a temporary address, Hard Rock Casino Rockford is set to open its new permanent location at 7801 E. State Street, near the I-90 State Street exit, on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
According to reports, the grand opening event will feature a signature ‘star-studded Guitar Smash’ at 3.00 p.m. as part of the celebrations.
Jon Lucas, the Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International, expressed his gratitude to the local community and the state for their support. He thanked the Rockford community and the state for welcoming the company and enabling them to offer world-class entertainment in the area.
Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, also commented. He said:
We’re 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.
He added that the company was excited to welcome guests to the new facility and to expand the company’s footprint.
The new facility is still awaiting regulatory approval. Once up and running, it will span over 175,000 square feet and house close to 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games, a poker room, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, six dining options, and a rock shop.
The expansion is not only set to cater to thousands of guests but is also expected to bring huge economic benefits to the area, including the creation of over 400 jobs. Construction of the permanent casino started back in September 2022 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2023. However, delays pushed the grand opening to 2024.
Earlier this year, Forbes listed Hard Rock International as one of America’s Best Large Employers, a title the company has won seven times. This recognition followed a substantial $100 million investment by the company to increase wages and salaries across its workforce in the United States.
The new Rockford location is expected to boost the local economy significantly. The casino’s temporary site, located at 610 N. Bell School Road, has shown promising financial performance with $6.6 million in gaming revenue recorded in May 2024. This marked a 6 percent increase from April’s $6.2 million.
The recent tax hike on online sports betting, which is intended to generate additional revenue for the state, has led industry experts to speculate that Illinois may soon legalize online casinos. This move would open up a new revenue stream from digital gaming.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s new site is one of several developments by the company in the United States. It was reported that Hard Rock Bristol in Virginia has also announced a delayed grand opening of its permanent location to later this year.
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