The wait is over in Rockford, Illinois.
Rockford’s permanent Hard Rock Casino finally opened its doors to the public. This marks the end of a five-year journey since the city received its casino license in 2019. The grand opening “Guitar Smash” event, a Hard Rock tradition, featured Rick Nielsen, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Seminole Tribe of Florida Council Members, Hard Rock International COO Jon Lucas, and special guests like NBA Champion and Rockford native Fred VanVleet.
The casino offers 175,000 square feet of gaming with 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games, a Hard Rock Live concert venue, a Hard Rock Cafe, and a top-rated sportsbook. Local gaming officials describe it as a music and entertainment museum that rivals any gaming facility.
Hard Rock Casino to be Tax Windfall for Rockford
“I’m thrilled to celebrate another major economic win for the people of Illinois with the new Rockford Hard Rock Casino,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This state and local tax revenue helps ensure the city can meet their obligations and build for the future while alleviating the burden on Rockford taxpayers.”
The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford has guaranteed $7 million annually in gambling tax revenue. The proposed tax rate is 5% for concerts and other performances, and 3% for sporting events. The tax revenue will go to the city’s Redevelopment Fund, which supports arts and culture.
The redevelopment fund is currently allocated for the ongoing upkeep of the city-owned Coronado Theater. Additionally, the funds support improvements at Embassy Suites, Millennium Fountain, and Davis Park.
The local share of the tax revenue is distributed as follows:
- Rockford: 70%
- Winnebago County: 20%
- Loves Park: 5%
- Machesney Park: 5%
The Hard Rock Casino plans to expand its workforce by hiring up to 400 new employees, while its Hard Rock Live venue can host up to 2,000 guests.
The temporary Hard Rock facility, which opened in November 2021, generated nearly $40 million in state and local taxes.
“The economic impact of this casino will provide hundreds of new jobs and boost the entertainment options for anyone living near or visiting Rockford,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International. “We are thrilled to welcome this new property to our global portfolio of over 300 Hard Rock venues.”
Higher Tax Rates Benefiting Illinois
The state’s 15 casinos generated roughly $140 million in revenue in May and June. July figures haven’t been released yet, but casino revenue is up 13% year-over-year.
Video gaming has generated nearly $428 million for the state this year, playing a crucial role in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $53.1 billion budget that began on July 1.
A recent 1% increase in Illinois’ video gaming tax will add another $35 million to state revenue. In 2023, video gaming brought in $900 million in state and local taxes, and 2024 is already surpassing that figure through May, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.
So, now, with the new Hard Rock Casino in the mix, you can only expect the numbers to go up even higher.
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