Hard Rock Sportsbook is the latest gaming operator to apply for a sports wagering license in Illinois, with the Illinois Gaming Board showing on its website the Florida-based casino has put in for both retail and mobile licenses.
The retail license application was submitted Aug. 23 by 815 Entertainment, the local ownership group for the casino in Rockford near the Wisconsin border. Hard Rock has been operating a temporary casino there since last November — with electronic gaming devices and slots only — and will break ground on its permanent venue Wednesday.
Seminole Hard Rock Digital put forth the Management Services Provider application required for a mobile license to the IGB on Aug. 16, further adding to a growing list of operators looking to join the seven options currently available to Illinois bettors. Unibet has been in the queue the longest, submitting its application in November 2020, while WynnBET put in its paperwork last November.
Two operators — Circa and Bally Bet — submitted their applications to conduct mobile wagering May 16 and Sept. 12, respectively, and both will be tethered to land-based casinos. Tekkorp Digital Application Corp., doing business as Caliente Interactive, was the only applicant the IGB moved forward for an online-only license April 28.