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When is the Hard Rock Casino Rockford Opening?

By Jason Schandl

Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick address the
Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick address the / CHRIS NIEVES/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR /
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It's been a long process to reach the opening of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford, but we're almost there.

Plans for the Casino were announced in July, 2019, and ground wasn't broken on the construction until September 28, 2022. But after all this ado, when will it open?

The official opening of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford will be on Labor Day weekend, 2024, per WIFR. That puts the opening likely on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Only about 75 miles from Chicago, Rockford approved one license for a casino, and the Hard Rock Casino is the only option that the city recommended to the Illinois Gaming Board.

During construction, Hard Rock was allowed to open a temporary Casino (named "Rockford Casino-A Hard Rock Opening Act") on November 10, 2021.

The official casino is set to include a 250-room Hard Rock Hotel, and gaming offerings will include over 600 slot machines and an assortment of table games.

Early reports made it seem like poker would not be offered at the casino, and the official website lists only two varieties: three card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em — so for true poker diehards, typical poker is unfortunately not an option.