Hard Rock Bet announced that its online sports betting app launched across the Land of Lincoln on Monday, with a brick-and-mortar shop at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford set to follow on Thursday.
The online and retail operator, which has now launched in eight states, is offering a Hard Rock sportsbook promo where new customers get $100 in bonus bets when they wager $5.
Bettors can also take advantage of a free rewards program and traditional wagering options with pre-game, in-game, and Same Game Parlay betting.
“This is shaping up to be a monumental football season for Hard Rock Bet with our Roll With Us campaign, the continued innovations on our highly-rated platform, and now the launch of Hard Rock Bet in one of the largest sports betting markets in the country,” said Marlon Goldstein, executive managing director & CEO for Hard Rock Digital, in a press release.
“We’re thrilled to be delivering the unique Hard Rock Bet mobile experience to players throughout Illinois on our award-winning app and in-person at the new Sportsbook at the amazing Hard Rock Casino Rockford.”
Welcome to Rockford
The Hard Rock Casino Rockford, located less than two hours west of Chicago, is a 175,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment facility offering 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games, and a poker room to go along with the sportsbook. The casino will also house six restaurants.
“Sports betting was always part of our holistic plan for Rockford and is another example of providing thrilling entertainment options for guests,” said Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford. “The launch of Hard Rock Bet on mobile and in-person sports betting is another milestone for the Hard Rock brand in Illinois, one that adds to the complete array of entertainment options for our guests."
Big-time market
Hard Rock Bet is now live in a major market that adds to an operating list that includes New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. Hard Rock Bet also becomes the ninth online sportsbook in the Land of Lincoln, joining FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, Fanatics, ESPN BET, and Circa.
Illinois sports betting generated nearly $848 million in wagers in June, the second-highest handle behind New York nationally.
Since launching legal online Illinois sports betting four years ago, more than $36 billion has been wagered on sports in Illinois, and online and retail operators have combined to produce $3 billion in revenue. Sportsbooks have also paid out over $457 million in taxes to the state.
