ROCKFORD, IL — Hard Rock Casino Rockford continued to produce strong revenue numbers through the first six months of 2026.
So far this year, Hard Rock remains the third largest casino revenue producer in the state, data from the Illinois Gaming Board shows.
The Hard Rock opened Aug. 29, 2024, in Rockford. Last year was its first full year of operations at its permanent location. As a new Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit casino is built roughly 17 miles to the north and is expected to open late this year, Hard Rock Rockford President Geno Iafrate said the Rockford casino is ready for some healthy competition.
“Historically, there will be a trial of the new facility, which will impact our revenue,” Iafrate said. “How much of an impact and how long it lasts is to be determined. Over time, multiple casinos proximate to each other is good for the market.”
Increased table game activity have so far this year helped drive some of the Rockford casino’s increased revenue, Iafrate said as staffing needed to ramp up. Here is how the Rockford casino is performing so far this year, according to the latest casino gaming revenue report.
On the rise
Six months into 2026 and Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which employs about 1,000 people with an estimated payroll over about $40 million annually, has generated $78.8 million in gross gaming revenue after gamblers were paid winnings.
That is a nearly 8% increase over the nearly $73 million in revenue the casino generated through the first six months of 2025.
Over a full year in 2025, the casino generated $146.2 million in adjusted gross revenue.
Gamblers lose $1B at Illinois casinos
Hard Rock remains the third highest revenue producer of Illinois’ 17 casinos where, combined, gamblers lost $1 billion so far in 2026. That is a nearly 5% increase over the $954.4 million they lost by this time last year.
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is by far the largest casino in Illinois with $267.6 million in revenue half way through 2026. The next largest so far this year is Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino in East Hazel Crest with $121.4 million in revenue.
And Hard Rock is so far this year just ahead of Grand Victoria Casino Elgin which through six months generated $75.2 million in revenue.
The casino industry in Illinois suppors an estimated 28,500 jobs, according to the Illinois Casino Gaming Association.
Millions in taxes generated
Illinois casinos generated $177 million in state taxes half way through 2026, 14% more than the $155 million in state taxes they generated year-to-date 2025. They also generated $64.4 million for local governments, up 10% from the $58.4 million they generated for local governments half way through 2025.
In Rockford, the Hard Rock produced $13.1 million in state taxes and $5.4 million in taxes for local governments so far this year. Local governments including Rockford, Winnebago County, Machesney Park and Loves Park benefit from local casino taxes. But under an agreement with the city of Rockford, the Hard Rock guarantees Rockford a minimum of $7 million a year.
Slot machines remain king
The lion’s share of gaming revenue continues to come from Hard Rock’s roughly 1,300 slot machines. Slot machines generated $65.9 million in revenue at the Hard Rock after gamblers were paid winnings so far this year. That is a nearly 6% increase over the $62.3 millions slot machines generated at Hard Rock by this time last year.
Big increase for table games
Gamblers in Rockford appear to be warming to the selection of table games.
The casino’s 50 table games including a six-table poker room and baccarat room, generated $10.7 million six months into 2025.
But so far this year, that has increased more than 20% to $12.9 million.
“There is a natural ramp up period of new casinos,” Iafrate said. “We have seen that occur in Rockford.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Hard Rock Casino Rockford stays no. 3 in Illinois for making money
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
