Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook Goes Live in Illinois

The Land of Lincoln’s sports betting market just got a major upgrade.

Hard Rock Bet officially launched their online sportsbook in Illinois on Monday, giving the state its ninth operator. The timing works out well for the operator, which was able to get the platform launched ahead of the NFL and college football seasons. Those are the two most popular betting leagues in the country, leading to a spike in wagers.

The operator will be the first to enter Illinois since they switched to a progressive sports betting tax system. This new system sets a tax rate that ranges from 20% to 40%, depending on each operator’s adjusted gross revenue.

Hard Rock Bet is now available in the following eight states:

• Arizona

• Florida

• Illinois

• Indiana

• New Jersey

• Ohio

• Tennessee

• Virginia

Hard Rock to Open Retail Location in Rockford

In addition to the launch of its online sportsbook, Hard Rock is also opening a new retail location at their casino in Rockford. The new location features a few betting kiosks and three windows along with a full wall of TVs. The casino is less than two hours from Chicago and 25 minutes from the southern Wisconsin border, where sportsbooks are scarce.

“Sports betting was always part of our holistic plan for Rockford and is another example of providing thrilling entertainment options for guests,” Hard Rock Rockford President Geno Iafrate shared in a press release.

“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. If guests want to enjoy live music, have a meal, play table games, slots, or place bets on a sporting event, they can now take part in any facet of entertainment all under one roof.”

The new sportsbook will begin taking bets today, just in time for Week 1 of the college football season.