ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Monday night, the public got to hear details of three proposed Rockford casino projects, but the Forest City isn’t the only stateline community that hopes to build a casino.

“Oh, we’ll certainly beat Beloit to to the casino,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said on Monday.

As the three proposals for a Rockford casino were laid out, Beloit continues to wait for a casino of their own.

Celestino Ruffini is the executive director of Visit Beloit. He says when the Ho Chunk Beloit casino was being planned, the possibility that one would also be coming to Rockford was always considered.

“So for Rockford to have a casino, whether that’s before or after ours, the fact is the plan here in Beloit has taken, well into consideration, Rockford one day having a casino,” he said.

Because of the laws in each state, Ruffini says Rockford has been able to move through the process more quickly.

Although he isn’t concerned about the competition, McNamara says the possibility of beating Beloit to the finish line impacted Rockford’s timeline.

“I think the expedited timeline — I would say, certainly, seeing dollars leave Illinois communities and go across state lines, to either Wisconsin or Indiana — certainly played a role in this,” he said.

Ruffini believes there’s a chance the two cities can work together.

“The opportunities, not only to work together, but for us, here at Visit Beloit, and for the Rockford Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, to promote this area as the newest gaming destination, is something we are actively looking forward to,” Ruffini said. “We can’t wait for the challenge in entering a marketplace that neither of our cities has been in before.”

Even is Rockford ends up choosing the Hard Rock Casino proposal along I-90, Ruffini says it’s not a cause for concern.

“Will it be a challenge to have two casinos 10-20 minutes from each other, off the same interstate? No, I don’t think so,” he said. “If anything, it’s just going to make it easier for people to find where to go, and it’s just going to provide greater opportunities for both of our communities. It goes to say, the Ho Chunk Nation would have not chosen a location off I-90, if not for the same reason that proposers in Rockford are looking for an interstate location.”

The Ho Chunk Nation is still waiting for federal approval to build a casino, hotel and convention center right off of Interstate 90. They hope to start construction next year

Rockford needs to send its pick of three proposals to the Illinois Gaming Board within the next month.

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