Illinois Gaming Board approves owner’s license to Hard Rock for Rockford casino

January 27, 2022|By Kevin Haas|In Featured, Local, Rockford, Top Stories
Hard Rock plans to break ground on its casino near Interstate 90 in Rockford in spring 2022, pending Illinois Gaming Board approval. The board meets Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, to consider final licensure approval. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Illinois Gaming Board on Thursday voted unanimously to approve an owner’s license for 815 Entertainment to operate a full Hard Rock Casino in the city.

The approval marks another key step and one of the final endorsements needed for Hard Rock to go forward with its casino here.

“Today’s approval was yet another milestone toward the fulfillment of Rockford’s long-awaited casino dream,” Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, said in a statement to the Rock River Current. “A project of this scale is a complex process with many stakeholders. We have and will continue to work openly and closely with the IGB and all regulatory bodies to ensure that the new, permanent Hard Rock Casino meets and exceeds all requirements and expectations.”

Related: Hard Rock targets spring groundbreaking for full casino resort

815 Entertainment, which does business as Hard Rock Casino Rockford, plans to break ground on the resort at the former Clock Tower grounds near Interstate 90 and East State Street in spring. Before it can begin construction it will need additional Illinois Gaming Board approval of the plans, said Marcus Fruchter, administrator of the gaming board.

Board members and Fruchter were complimentary of Hard Rock’s efforts so far since opening its temporary casino at 610 N. Bell School Road on Nov. 10. They signaled support for its ongoing efforts to build the casino resort.

Related: ‘We want everyone to win’: Rockford slot parlors, casino see room for both

Dan Fischer, the casino’s chief investor, said the Rockford casino is on target to meet its goal of breaking ground in spring and complete construction within two years. By IGB rules, it would have an additional year beyond two years to complete the build if needed.

“Obviously everyone is chasing supply chains and different challenges at this point, but we expect to move forward within that schedule,” Fischer told the board during a meeting held online.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.