The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has officially sanctioned the extension of Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s owner’s license in its April session, providing a four-year renewal retroactive to January 2026.
This casino, the first opened following Illinois’ 2019 gaming expansion legislation, commenced operations on November 10, 2021, marking the state’s 11th casino. Initially, it functioned from a temporary facility, transitioning to its permanent site in August 2024.
During the same meeting, the board also ratified several licensing and regulatory decisions, which encompassed renewals for casino suppliers, video gaming licenses, approvals for sports wagering, and compliance measures across various sectors.
IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter reminded all casino, video gaming, and sports betting licensees of their responsibilities under newly revised advertising and marketing regulations enacted last year.
He further emphasized recent amendments to the Video Gaming Act that impose restrictions on specific kinds of outdoor advertising at licensed video gaming establishments, which include movable flags, banners, and temporary signage for a period of 90 days post location license issuance.
“The IGB takes compliance with advertising and marketing regulations very seriously and expects licensees and applicants to do likewise,” he stated. “Any violations could lead to disciplinary measures for licensees.”
The board approved and rejected several applications:
Casino-related approvals included:
- 2 key personnel
- 2 Level 1 occupational licenses
- 284 Level 2 occupational licenses
- 2 supplier license renewals
Video gaming measures comprised:
- 18 terminal handler applicants were endorsed
- 60 applicants for video gaming locations were approved
- 4 terminal operator applicants received approval
- 1 manufacturer license renewal
- 2 distributor license renewals
- 17 terminal operator renewals
Rejections included:
- 1 terminal handler applicant
- 8 applications for video gaming locations
- 2 renewals for video gaming locations (due to invalid state liquor licenses)
Sports wagering endorsements included:
- Wind Creek IL LLC received a Master Sports Wagering License, operating as Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino
- 230 Level 2 occupational licenses
- 1 supplier license
Other Board actions involved:
- Adoption of two decisions recommended by Administrative Law Judges
- Rescission of previous denials for two video gaming location applications
The board’s next scheduled meeting will occur on June 11, 2026. Illinois currently hosts 17 casinos, with 15 active and authorized sportsbooks, along with nearly 9,000 licensed video gaming establishments.