The temporary Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois will feature a sportsbook, officials said. The Illinois Gaming Board recently granted the casino developers, 815 Entertainment, permission to begin construction on the temporary facility at the former Giovanni’s restaurant. The venue also will include two restaurants and bars and 736 slots, but no table games.
Construction is expected to take about 90 days. Officials said renovations to the facility will cost $8.8 million. Developers still must get permission to operate and approval of its security and surveillance plans from the gaming board.
Once completed, the 37,790-square-foot building can operate for up to two years while the $311 million permanent Hard Rock is under construction. That’s expected to start in 2022 and be completed in 2023.’
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said, “This is a huge accomplishment for our community and it will bring hundreds of construction jobs to Rockford.”
