Hard Rock Opening Act, the temporary casino that Hard Rock was operating in Rockford at 610 N. Bell School Road, closed at 5 a.m. on Aug. 12 after 33 months in operation.
That closing was to make way for the Aug. 29 grand opening of the permanent Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which sports over 175,000 square feet of space for gaming, entertainment, and other amenities.
Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, thanked those who helped make the temporary casino a success for nearly three years.
“We are extremely proud of our team members who helped make our initial Opening Act location a success, and we welcome all those new to the team who have worked so hard preparing for this long-awaited day. It’s been 30 years in the making for Rockford, and the wait is over. We are excited to welcome guests to our house to showcase and expand the legendary Hard Rock brand.”
Permanent casino will have nearly double number of slots
While residents in the state are wondering if lawmakers will legalize Illinois online casinos in 2025, the permanent casino in Rockford should further cement the state’s booming retail casino industry, which enjoyed adjusted gross revenue over $1.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2024.
When Hard Rock Casino Rockford opens in two weeks, it will offer guests 1,300 slot machines, nearly double the number at the temporary casino. The casino will also feature 50 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook, all located in a city less than a two-hour drive from Chicago.
The resort will also include a 23,000-square-foot Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, which will hold up to 2,000 for concerts and performances, plus restaurants and shopping.
Opening Act’s final performance
During Opening Act’s final night, MyStateline.com tracked down Rockford resident Tom Tendall, the last of more than 1.5 million patrons to exit the temporary casino on Monday morning.
“I feel privileged to be part of it. It’s been a really good experience.”
Iafrate told MyStateline.com that despite the high anticipation for the permanent Hard Rock casino’s opening, it was tough to close the doors on the Opening Act.
“Everybody’s a little bit sad. Guests, team members, all night have said, ‘Man, it’s sad,’ but at the same time, everybody is excited to get the new one up and running. It’s all part of the process.”
In June, Hard Rock Opening Act brought in $6.1 million of adjusted gaming revenue, a 5.6% year-over-year gain from the previous June. It contributed to a $138.3 million haul for Illinois casinos in the month, the third-best total of 2024 to date.
The Hard Rock consistently stayed in the middle of the pack for adjusted gaming revenue among Illinois’ 15 operating casinos, despite being the second-smallest space of any Illinois casino.
That will change on Aug. 29, as Opening Act makes way for the headliner, just in time for Labor Day weekend.
