Illinois: Rockford casino granted preliminary approval
While a licence has yet to be granted, the approval means construction can begin at a temporary property.
US.- The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has voted unanimously in favour of granting preliminary approval to Hard Rock’s Rockford casino.
The vote allows construction resort to begin at a temporary location at Giovanni’s on North Bell School Road. It also allows investors to arrange financing and to purchase gambling machines for the property.
However, a licence is still not a certainty as one investor is still being investigated by the IGB.
Construction at the permanent location at the former Clock Tower Resort property on East State Street cannot begin until a licence has been granted.
Hard Rock International’s chief operating officer, Jon Lucas, said: “We are grateful to the state and the Illinois Gaming Board for their support and for allowing this process to get one step closer to reality.
“We have a lot of work to do to complete this process, and we are excited at what lies ahead, as we know the city of Rockford is as well, with respect to the jobs and revenues this project will create.”
Meanwhile, Hard Rock International is to award bonuses to employees in at least two states to reward them for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic, company chairman Jim Allen has announced.
