The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois, expects to open a sportsbook featuring live sports betting as well as an online sports betting application before the end of the year. The process has taken longer than expected due to delays related to internal control procedures.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate said the sportsbook needs its internal control procedures tested and approved by the Illinois Gaming Commission (IGB) before it can open. “We are working through the final steps with the IGB and are hopeful to be open before the end of the year,” he stated, as per Rockford Register Star.
Geno Iafrate
The Hard Rock Opening Act plans to open the sportsbook adjacent to its Rock River Bar & Grill, allowing visitors to order beers, bet on a game, and watch it while they relax in a sports bar setting. There are plans for a digital betting menu, two windows where visitors can place bets with Hard Rock employees, and several automated sports betting kiosks. There will also be a bank of televisions with sports programming.
Illinois Gaming Board officials in July authorized the Hard Rock Opening Act, 610 N. Bell School Road, to operate the sportsbook. The Board granted a license to 815 Entertainment LLC., the ownership group of the casino, and Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC., which will operate online sports wagering in Illinois via an app.
However, before allowing sports betting, all the regulatory approvals, certifications and testing requirements have to be completed, which is taking longer than expected. The IGB has been busy working to open three new casinos over the summer and is considering approval of at least two other sportsbooks in the state in addition to Rockford’s.
“The IGB is working cooperatively with Hard Rock Casino Rockford and Seminole Hard Rock Digital to move through the regulatory process in an efficient, expeditious, ethical, compliant, and thorough manner,” IGB Director of Communications Beth Kaufman said in an email.
Illinois now has 15 casinos and 10 sportsbooks. Casino gambling, video gaming, and sports wagering generated more than $1.4 billion in tax revenue for the state and local communities last year.
