The Hard Rock Casino Rockford officially opened to the public at 3:00pm on Thursday, following a development process that cost over $300m. The new 175,000-square-foot facility is located near the I-90 State Street exit in Rockford, Illinois.
The casino features nearly 1,300 slot machines and 50 live table games, including poker, as well as a sportsbook. The complex also includes a 1,600-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, which is expected to host a variety of performances.
In addition to the gaming options, the casino offers seven different dining establishments, ranging from casual to upscale. The venue is decorated with music memorabilia and the Rock Shop provides guests with Hard Rock branded merchandise.
The grand opening event featured appearances by several figures, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Hard Rock International COO Jon Lucas and Rockford natives such as Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and NBA player Fred VanVleet.
The event included live performances, pyrotechnics and a tribute to World War II veterans and concluded with Hard Rock’s traditional "guitar smash" ceremony.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said: "Rockford is celebrating a huge win today with the opening of the long-awaited and much-desired casino. Hard Rock delivered on every promise from its initial bid nearly five years ago to the opening of its temporary location and its commitment to the Rockford community."
The opening weekend will feature performances by Akon, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Brad Paisley, all scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Live venue, which can accommodate up to 2,000 guests.
This opening is part of Hard Rock International's ongoing expansion. In July 2024, Hard Rock Casino NL entered into a partnership with Stakelogic to enhance its online gaming offerings in the Netherlands. This deal, announced in July 2024, involves integrating Stakelogic’s slots and live casino content into Hardrockcasino.nl, along with the adoption of new technology aimed at improving the user experience.
The Hard Rock Casino Rockford is expected to be a significant addition to the local economy, providing a new entertainment destination for the region.
