The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has approved the launch of a new sports betting service at the Hard Rock Casino, located in the city of Rockford.
The authority granted 815 Entertainment – doing business as Hard Rock Casino Rockford – a betting operator license.
Seminole Hard Rock Digital has also been approved as a provider of sports betting management services.
The casino “must comply with IGB rules” before offering in-person and online betting,” the regulator said.
The casino plans to start offering sports betting in the next two months.
The Hard Rock Digital arm already operates online sports betting in several other US states.
Last year, the division launched products in Indiana and Tennessee. The group has served online players in New Jersey and Iowa.
License for online betting only
Hard Rock’s sports betting license was one of several regulatory matters discussed during the IGB meeting.
Digital Gaming Corporation (DGC) has also been confirmed as the only remaining candidate for a new statewide online-only sports betting license.
DGC IL LLC initially applied for a license last year but opted to withdraw its offer.
However, the sports betting and igaming business is soliciting again after being acquired by Super Group, Betway‘s holding company.
The DGC will need to pay a $20 million licensing fee and undergo further checks before final approval is granted.
The other candidate for an Illinois online gambling license by the March 1st deadline – Bet J&J – withdrew earlier this month.
The state has opened the application process for a total of three licenses for the online marketplace.
Approvals
Furthermore, the IGB granted over 230 new gaming licenses and approvals at its meeting.
IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter said the authority will continue to focus on regulation “in an ethical, transparent, compliant and efficient manner”.
About Hard Rock Casino in Rockford
The Hard Rock Casino resort in Rockford, Illinois began construction in the last quarter of last year.
The casino was built in an empty field on the East State Street corridor in Rockford and cost over $300 million.
The project included a casino with hundreds of slot machines, a sportsbook and table games with craps, blackjack and roulette. The site also has an event center.
