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- Hard Rock Bet online sports betting has been launched in Illinois
- In-person sports betting to begin on Aug. 29 at Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- Will be subjected to Illinois’ new progressive tax rate
Hard Rock Bet is now Illinois bound.
Hard Rock Digital and Hard Rock Casino Rockford announced that Hard Rock Bet online sports betting is now live in Illinois. Hard Rock Bet went live throughout the state on Monday, Aug. 26, its eighth live state.
In-person sports betting will also launch at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Rolling into Illinois
Hard Rock Bet has entered Illinois during a fruitful time of the sports betting season, as college football is ready to roll this weekend and the NFL season will begin in two weeks.
“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, 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.”
In-person sports betting at Hard Rock Casino Rockford will feature five betting kiosks, and three betting windows.
Illinois is the eighth live state for Hard Rock Bet. The casino operator is live in the following markets:
- Arizona
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Virginia
New Jersey is the only state where Hard Rock Bet operates iGaming in addition to online sports betting.
New Illinois Tax Rate for Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet will be subjected to Illinois’ new tax rate, which went into effect on July 1.
The new progressive sports betting tax rate is the first of its kind in the country. Based on the new structure, operators will have to pay taxes based on the following adjusted gross sports betting revenue totals:
- $0 to $30 million: 20%
- $30 million to $50 million: 25%
- $50 million to $100 million: 30%
- $100 million to $200 million: 35%
- Over $200 million: 40%
Operators will also be required to pay separate taxes based on the sliding scale for both retail and online sportsbooks.
Hard Rock Bet will likely have to pay a 20% to 25% rate each month, as its doubtful their monthly gross adjusted sports betting revenues will surpass $50 million.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.