Hard Rock Hotel Breaks Ground in Ottawa
Author:
Scott Lawson
Breaking ground: Hard Rock has announced that it has commenced construction on the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa. The $350 million project is expected to generate 1,900 jobs and will include an expanded Hard Rock Casino, featuring 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action table games and a Hard Rock Sportsbook, as well as a Baccarat room.
Hard Rock has announced that it has broken ground on the construction of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa, Canada.
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Hard Rock Facility Expected to Bring In High Tax Revenues for Ottawa and Ontario
In what is sure to be major news for the city of Ottawa, Hard Rock has revealed that it has begun construction on the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in the Canadian capital. The $350 million project is expected to bring in close to 1,900 jobs, according to Hard Rock, and will showcase an expanded Hard Rock Casino, housing upwards of 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action table games and a Hard Rock Sportsbook The facility’s finishing touches will come in the form of having high-limit gaming and a Baccarat room.
Some more juicy details: The Hard Rock Hotel will boast 150 rooms, of which 22 will be premium suites. The complex will also house an 1,800 seat Hard Rock Live theater. Hard Rock also claims that the project is set to bring in high tax revenues for the City of Ottawa and province of Ontario.
Project’s Expected Completion Date is in 2025
With an expected completion and launch date of 2025, Jon Lucas, who is the chief operating officer at Hard Rock International, took a moment to specifically thank the city and province’s elected officials who helped make the project possible, while also highlighting the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario:
“We are excited to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich music history to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding region. I wish to thank the provincial and municipal elected officials who helped us get here today. We are especially grateful to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario who have been incredibly supportive in helping make this possible.”– Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Hard Rock International,Press Release
Next, Mark Sutcliffe, mayor of the city of Ottawa, drove home the arrival of jobs and investment in the city thanks to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project, also pointing out that it adds another major tourist attraction to the Canadian capital:
“The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino represents a significant investment in the south end of our city. It will create new jobs and will build on the existing attraction at Rideau Carleton Casino. I know many residents of the city are looking forward to enjoying this space and it will also be another great addition as a tourist attraction in Ottawa.”– Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa,Press Release
And finally, Duncan Hannay, Ontario Lottery Gaming (OLG) CEO & President, claimed the announcement of ground being broken at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project made it an exciting day, while also making overtures to National Indigenous History Month in Canada and the group’s Indigenous and Tribal partners:
“This is an exciting day for the City of Ottawa and our colleagues at Hard Rock, and a proud day for OLG! The plans we are advancing here and with our other land-based gaming partners, are providing real local benefits and will support the long-term vibrancy and excitement of the casino experience in Ottawa, and across Ontario, for years to come. With it also being National Indigenous History Month in Canada, OLG is committed to building new pathways of understanding, respect, and action with our Indigenous and Tribal partners to advance the principles of Truth and Reconciliation. This is an important way that we at OLG continue to ‘Play for Ontario‘.”– Duncan Hannay, CEO & President, Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG),Press Release
Hard Rock Sportsbook Went Live in Virginia Back in May 2022
We haven’t heard from Hard Rock in a while, with the last major reported news dating back to May 2022, when the hotel and casino giant announced that it had launched its Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app in Virginia, with a physical retail sportsbook following closely in July 2022.
Virginia thus became the second state in which the Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app became active, following in the footsteps of Arizona. The Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app is now being supported with a physical presence thanks to a new retail sportsbook at the temporary Bristol casino site.
Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director & CEO for Hard Rock Digital, said it was happy to be offering its product to Virginians, promising sports betting fans an unparalleled experience – especially with the launch of the retail sportsbook:
“We’re excited to expand Hard Rock Sportsbook to Virginia and proud to offer more gaming options on the sports Virginians love on our easy-to-use mobile platform. We’re looking forward to the opening of our retail sportsbook in Bristol this July and providing Virginia sports fans with an unparalleled integrated entertainment experience.”– Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director & CEO, Hard Rock Digital,Press Release
Hard Rock Sportsbook Landed in Arizona in February 2022
As briefly mentioned, in February 2022 the digital division of Hard Rock International, Hard Rock Digital, announced it had gained market access in Arizona as the result of an exclusive new partnership with the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE).
For those not yet fully in the loop: The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE) is a subtribe of the Navajo Nation – the largest federally recognized Native American Nation currently active in the United States. It operates five gaming and hospitality facilities across Arizona and New Mexico.
Marlon Goldstein conveyed the brand’s excitement at being able to finally deliver its sports betting offerings to Arizona:
“We’re thrilled to partner with the NNGE to provide Arizona sports bettors with a fun and engaging gameday experience through the Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app. The Hard Rock brand is known worldwide for legendary hospitality and entertainment, and we’re excited to deliver those experiences to Arizonans digitally with unrivaled mobile sports betting.”
