The Hard Rock Casino Rockford project is moving forward. This week, major steps were made in the process, with the Illinois Gaming Board approving construction as well as a supplier license to the landlord of the property. The casino’s investor list was also approved, which includes a total of 51 investors.

The huge steps come less than two years after the Rockford City Council decided to go with Hard Rock International as the company to build a casino in the area. The project can now move forward to create a permanent facility that will provide jobs as well as economic growth.

Details of the Approvals

The Illinois Gaming Board reviewed several aspects of the project this week and approved what was needed to see the deal move forward. The investor list was reviewed, which consists of individuals s well as companies, and trusts. Each investor will have a minimum of 5% stake in the company titled 815 Entertainment LLC.

815 Entertainment attorney, Terry Dunleavy commented on the recent news by stating: “Today was a great day for the Rockford Casino project, and we’re excited that the process continues to move forward. We continue to work closely with the Illinois Gaming Board and once we receive approval with respect to the temporary casino, we will make an announcement about that process.”

Temporary Casino

With the ruling, an application can be filled out for a temporary casino to start construction alongside the permanent location in Illinois. The temporary site will be located at the former Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center. For the full casino, the property will be located where the Clock Tower Resort used to reside.

During the meeting, a detailed drawing along with key points were provided regarding the temporary facility. The casino will be just under 21,000 square feet in size and offer more than 700 slot games. The property will also include a restaurant, snack bar, and main casino bar. A Rock Shop will also be installed as a retail outlet.

Over $8 million will be invested and the property should be operational within 90 days of the license approval. The temporary facility is estimated to be open for 18 to 24 months before the permanent property is ready for operation.

Once the full casino is open, a total of $310 million will have been spent and 1,200 permanent jobs created. During the construction phase, it is expected that around 1,000 jobs will be available. Along with creating the casino, Hard Rock International has committed to adding a music production study to the Washington Park Community Center as well as supporting youth programs in the local neighborhood.