By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A Hard Rock Opening Act anticipated getting approval to open its doors this week. As luck would have it, that day is Wednesday.
People will have their first chance to test their luck on hundreds of slots and electronic table games starting at 11 a.m. at the temporary casino, located at the corner of East State Street and Bell School Road. The interim casino, which is inside the former Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, is expected to operate for about two years while the full resort is built on the former Clock Tower Resort site.
“We all know that every great musical begins with an opening act. This is no different,” said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer of Hard Rock International, in a news release. “Thanks to the unwavering support from our leaders and members of the community, Hard Rock International is able to expand our footprint and bring to life the excitement that our team is so pleased to be a part of. We could not be prouder of this project and look forward to continuing to integrate ourselves into this incredible community for years to come.”
The new casino features two restaurants, a pop-up retail shop and more than 8,500 square feet of gaming space filled with 635 slots and electronic table games. The casino will be open 24/7.