Hard Rock Casino Rockford debuts blackjack and other live table games
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Rockford Casino has added Live Blackjack, 3 Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em at its interim casino. The live table games launch on April 5, 2023. (Photo provided by Hard Rock Rockford)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford debuts blackjack and other live table games today, taking its offerings beyond slots and other electronic games for the first time.
Blackjack, three-card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are available starting at 10 a.m. today after the casino earned the green light to add the games from the Illinois Gaming Board.
The 37,000-square-foot gaming floor now has a section with six tables: four for blackjack and one each for three-card poker and Ultimate Hold’Em.
“Table games is really an essential part of a casino,” said Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Rockford. “I hate to use the phrase, but it makes it a real casino.”
Guests have been requesting the addition of table games ever since the casino opened nearly 17 months ago. The casino, 610 N. Bell School Road, also has more than 600 slots and electronic table games.
But Iafrate said A Hard Rock Opening Act, the name of the temporary casino that operates until the larger complex is finished, needed time to hire additional staff and train dealers. Live table games resulted in 20 new jobs at the casino, bringing its employment count to about 300.
“Since we’ve opened, the No. 1 most-requested amenity is live table games,” Iafrate said. “I’ve had guests tell me directly, ‘Nice place. We’ll be back when there’s table games.”
Hard Rock Rockford debuts new live table games on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The casino had an invite-only preview of table games Monday night monitored by the Illinois Gaming Board. The first ever hand of blackjack was dealt to Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who won when the dealer busted.
The table limits will vary based on the day of the week, time of day and level of business. It’s dynamic pricing based on demand, according to the casino. There were $10 minimum bets during Monday’s test run.
The casino has generated nearly $73.4 million in gross revenue with more than 634,000 admissions since it opened Nov. 10, 2021. It also generated more than $4.3 million in local gaming tax revenue, in addition to other taxes.
“The city of Rockford has invested a lot in this partnership with Hard Rock, and truthfully Hard Rock has delivered time and time again above and beyond,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “They’re so community-minded that they’ve met and exceeded all our expectations.”
Iafrate said that as demand grows more tables, game types and employees are inevitable.
“Our second Table Games Dealer School will begin soon with more to follow as we continue to add to our team,” he said.
Meanwhile, construction is ongoing for the full casino resort near Interstate 90 and East State Street. There is not a clear timeline yet as to when the casino will open.
Fast facts | Table games at Rockford casino
Hard Rock Rockford debuts new live table games on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Location: 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford
Table game hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Casino hours: The casino is open 24/7
