ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford took another major step toward becoming a reality Wednesday as Illinois Gaming Board officials approved a series of key businesses, executives, managers and owners needed to operate the casino.
Among those winning approval to participate in the casino project were Hard Rock International CEO James Allen, Hard Rock Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas and Dotty's gambling café chain owner Dan Fischer, who is the chief investor behind the casino.
“This is a giant step forward," Lucas said in a written statement. "We’re grateful to the state of Illinois and the Illinois Gaming Board for their support. We’re excited to get this project up and running beginning with the construction of the temporary casino. It won’t be long before we need people to join our team and we plan to share more details on how the community can participate through employment and supplier roles in the days and weeks ahead.”