Hard Rock to open its first fully integrated casino resort in Canada next month

Hard Rock International will open its first fully integrated Canadian resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, on July 3 at 1 p.m. The new property is expected to bring a major entertainment and hospitality boost to the capital.

Located in the heart of the National Capital Region, the complex includes 150 hotel rooms (22 of them luxury suites), over 150,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space, 1,500 slot machines, up to 40 table games, a high-limit gaming area, and 10 restaurants and bars, including Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. A Rock Shop/Unity Store will also offer branded merchandise for purchase with loyalty points.

The resort’s Hard Rock Live venue will seat 2,200 people and will host Canadian performers during opening week. Lineup details will be announced soon.

"Ottawa is a milestone moment for us," said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International. "This property will not only attract international visitors but also support the local economy and enhance the region's entertainment offerings."

Construction on the new $350 million Hard Rock property began in June 2023, following years of delays, CTV News reported. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) chose Hard Rock International to operate the casino at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 2017. The partnership included plans to transform the site into a full-scale entertainment destination.

While construction nears completion, the existing Rideau Carleton Casino remains in operation. Following the July opening of the new facility, renovation work will begin on the original building. Full integration of both sites is expected by the end of 2025, adding further gaming areas and dining options.

"July 3 will mark the beginning of festivities, infused with legendary Hard Rock energy and an Oh! Canada! feel, this is more than a launch — it's the start of something incredible for our city; our capital,” said Christine Crump, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

The new development will create 700 local jobs and support community initiatives, says Hard Rock.

“The economic benefits resulting from this expansion will help drive the local economy and will undoubtedly become a tourist hot spot,” said Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) President and CEO Duncan Hannay. "We are proud of the partnership that we have with Hard Rock International and the City of Ottawa."