Temporary Rockford Hard Rock casino breaks visitor record in July

Nearly 45,000 people visited the temporary venue last month.

US.- Rockford’s temporary Hard Rock casino received 45,000 visitors in July, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. That’s the highest monthly figure yet and compares with 37,000 in June. The temporary casino in Rockford City, Illinois, opened last November.

Rockford’s mayor, Tom McNamara, said the city has received more than $1m from the casino, receiving 70 per cent of the casino’s tax revenue.

He said: “Prior to this casino, not only did citizens want a casino for 30 years, but we had citizens going to Indiana, going to Wisconsin, going to Iowa to gamble, so all of this money was fleeing the state of Illinois and specifically fleeing the city of Rockford and I think we’re seeing right now how of that money was fleeing.

“Hard Rock: An Opening Act” is located at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center at 610 N Bell School Road. It hosts more than 600 slot machines, a sports bar, and a restaurant.

Hard Rock is hoping to open sportsbook venue at the temporary facility. The company still needs licensing and approval from the state, which it hopes to have by the end of the year in time for large sporting events like the NFL’s Super Bowl.

The temporary casino will remain in operation for two years while construction takes place on the permanent Hard Rock Casino Rockford at the site of the former Clock Tower Resort on E. State Street. Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, said that the $310m casino project would provide 1,200 permanent jobs and an additional 1,000 during construction.

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