Casino owner 815 Entertainment still needs to obtain security and surveillance plan approval from the gaming board before it can operate the property. The board will meet again July 14.
The northern Illinois city could host the temporary casino for as many as two years while Hard Rock Casino Rockford finishes construction. Hard Rock received construction approval from the IGCB earlier in January for its $311m casino project.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara called the approval of the temporary casino a “huge accomplishment” for the town of 150,000 people.
“Of the six casinos that were approved in the casino expansion bill in 2019, we are the first to begin construction!” he said.
The temporary casino will take the place of Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, a 38,000-square-foot facility that will undergo an $8m renovation. The property will hold more than 700 slot machines, a casino bar, and a restaurant among other amenities.
815 Entertainment acquired Giovanni’s in April after the business’ owner was denied an application for a casino supplier’s license.
The permanent Hard Rock casino will be built at the former location of Clock Tower Resort. The casino will cover 65,000-square-feet and include 1,500 slots and 55 table games.
“I am very excited that the Hard Rock temporary casino structure has finally been given the green light to move forward,” said Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford). “For more than 20 years, I have worked to bring this project to fruition, knowing that it will have such a positive economic impact locally. After so long, it is very rewarding to see this project gain real momentum.”
