Hard Rock Unveils Canada’s First Integrated Casino Resort in Ottawa
The much-anticipated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially welcomed guests on Thursday, ushering in a new era as the first fully integrated casino resort from Hard Rock International in Canada. This $350 million project, years in the making, kicked off with a distinctive guitar-smashing ceremony instead of the usual ribbon-cutting.
A Long Journey to Opening Day
The journey began eight years ago when the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) tapped Hard Rock to manage the site. After navigating delays, including setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, construction finally began in 2023. The new venue builds on Hard Rock’s earlier role managing the Rideau Carleton Raceway casino since 2017, which will undergo renovations and merge with the new facility by late 2025. The OLG will oversee operations, incorporating its PlaySmart responsible gaming initiative.
The grand opening drew a crowd of notable figures, including leaders from
- The Seminole Tribe of Florida,
- Hard Rock executives,
- Ontario’s Minister of Tourism,
- Culture and Gaming Stan Cho,
- Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and
- local sports icon Brianne Jenner of the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge.
The partnership between the casino and the Charge, announced in February, added to the excitement. The festivities will wrap up with a headline performance by Avril Lavigne on July 5.
“It’s a proud moment for Ottawa to host a world-renowned brand like Hard Rock,” Sutcliffe shared with local media. “This investment speaks volumes about our city’s potential.”
A New Landmark for Ottawa
Spanning over 150,000 square feet, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa offers an impressive lineup: 1,500 slot machines, 40 table games, a high-limit gaming zone, a 150-room hotel, a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live theatre, and more than 10 dining and bar options, featuring the iconic Hard Rock Café. This marks the only Hard Rock-branded casino in Canada, following the rebranding of the Vancouver location to Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in late 2023.
Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen hailed the opening as a significant milestone.
“Planting our flag in Canada’s capital creates a vibrant hub for gaming, hospitality, and entertainment,” he said.
Allen noted the resort aims to draw international visitors while boosting the local economy, potentially redirecting the estimated $60 million annually spent by Ontarians on gaming trips to Quebec.
Economic Boost and Community Impact
The resort is poised to create over 700 jobs for local residents and generate more than 4,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction and beyond. It’s also projected to contribute over $206 million in tax revenue to support community projects and infrastructure.
Minister Cho expressed enthusiasm, stating,
“Hard Rock’s decision to launch this venture in Ontario is a win for our province. It will attract visitors, sustain hundreds of jobs, and funnel millions back into our communities.”
