The Rockford Casino is considering plans to bring even more options to gamblers visiting the Hard Rock facility. The operator is in talks with state regulators to receive licensing and approval to add sports betting to its temporary casino facility. Live table games are also under consideration. The casino would like to offer a physical sportsbook within its gaming floor and provide an app that can be used throughout the state of Illinois.

Sports Betting by 2022’s End?

Rockford Casino is hopeful that the process will run smoothly, and a sportsbook will be up and running by the end of 2022. This would allow players in the state to bet on major events like the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl.

President of the Rockford Casino Geno Iafrate commented that the casino would love to have the property open by the start of football season, but that is only a month away. It’s a tight window for the operator to reach.

The property would also like to add live table games by early next year, on a small scale. It would likely include just a handful of tables with options to play poker and blackjack against a dealer. If these games are added, it would provide even more options alongside the 635 new slot games, video poker, and electronic games launched in November.

Boosting the Casino’s Competitive Advantage

The sportsbook and table games will help Rockford see a better advantage over its competitors. But that is only if they are approved to add the new gambling elements. Part of the casino’s draw is that it offers higher jackpot prizes. Jackpots are much larger, usually five or six figures higher than nearby competitors.

The casino is sure to bring in even more player traffic with even more gambling options. Last month, the casino gave away over $2 million in jackpot prizes and generated over $34 million in revenues during the first eight months it was in business. In April alone, the casino earned over $5.1 million.

The July totals have not been released, so we may see the casino hit even new record numbers. What makes these totals even more spectacular is the fact that this is a temporary casino space. The full-scale casino is not even under construction yet. Once that property is built and operational, the Rockford Casino should be even more popular with guests. It will be interesting to see the casino perform once it reaches its full potential.