Rockford casino operators set new monthly revenue record in first month

It was a banner first month of operations for the 180,000-square-foot Hard Rock Casino Rockford resort at its permanent location on East State Street where it set a new monthly revenue record.

Hard Rock opened over Labor Day Weekend and in 30 days of operation attracted 157,154 visitors, according to information from the Illinois Gaming Board.

The casino collected $13.7 million in revenue after gamblers were paid winnings — more than doubling the casino's previous $6.6 million monthly revenue record set in May at the temporary location on Bell School Road earlier this year, the data shows.

"“Our first full month of operations was very successful," Hard Rock Rockford President Geno Iafrate said in an email to the Rockford Register Star. "Guest feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive. We are focused on building on the momentum and bringing even more guests to the Rockford region.”

Featuring 65,000 square feet of gaming space, the Hard Rock has about 1,300 slot machines and 44 table games including a six-table room dedicated to baccarat . In addition, the casino operates a six-table poker room .

Slot machines generated $12.7 million in September at the Hard Rock while table games generated $1 million in revenue.

Hard Rock also produced the second most revenue among all 15 casinos in Illinois in September. Only Rivers Casino in Des Plaines collected more with $41.5 million. Hard Rock revenue outpaced by $3.4 million the temporary Bally's casino in Chicago which did $10.3 million in business, third most in the state.

Hard Rock last month generated $843,040 in taxes for local governments which are expecting an annual revenue boost from the permanent casino.

Rockford plans to invest its increased share of gaming revenue , an estimated at $7 million annually, in expanded Rockford Promise scholarships, police and fire station maintenance, public safety pensions and economic development.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey .

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford casino operators set new monthly revenue record in first month