By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — Rockford Casino kicked off 2023 by bringing in more than $5 million in gross gaming revenue for the month of January.
It was the third time revenue has topped that mark and the third-highest monthly revenue in the local casino’s history, according to new Illinois Gaming Board data.
There were 44,643 admissions into the casino in January, the second-most in its 15 months of operation, according to data released this week. The most was 44,873 in July.
Related: Here’s the next steps for Hard Rock’s construction of its full casino resort
State law requires Illinois casinos to publicly report gross receipts, admissions and tax allocation information each month.
Hard Rock has now brought in more than $68.2 million in gross revenue since opening on Nov. 10, 2021, according to Gaming Board data. It’s also generated more than $4 million in local tax revenue, with Rockford taking the lion’s share of 70% of the taxes. Winnebago County receives 20% and 5% goes to both Loves Park and Machesney Park, per the terms of a revenue-sharing agreement.
The city of Rockford commits $1.5 million in casino taxes each year to Rockford Promise, which provides full-tuition scholarships to qualified Rockford Public Schools graduates to attend Northern Illinois University. The remainder of the revenue goes into the general operating fund reserves.
Hard Rock’s interim casino will continue to operate at 610 N. Bell School Road until the full resort opens near the corner of East State Street and Interstate 90.
More news: Live-action laser tag to return to Rockford with new owners and new tech
Rockford Casino President Geno Iafrate said earlier this month that steel for the future casino is expected to arrive in March, at which point construction will move vertical from its current underground and foundation work.
The casino hopes to have the structure enclosed by the end of summer, when the internal work will begin. An opening date has not been set.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.