Progress

After suffering numerous delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hard Rock International has advised that a long-awaited ground breaking is slated to take place for its Ottawa development during the early stages of next month.

Noting that “the time has finally come”, the ceremony for the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa will take place on Tuesday 6 June, 2023.

Hard Rock executives will be joined by elected officials, and business and community leaders to unveil new renderings and details on what is hailed as a “highly anticipated tourism and entertainment destination in the national capital”.

This will be held indoors at the live venue of the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino, operated by Hard Rock International and governed by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

The wider venue offers more than 1,200 slot machines and electronic table games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, as well as a VIP high limit gaming salon, numerous food and beverage outlets and live seasonal horse racing.

The ceremony, which vows to begin the development of “a unique and dynamic destination that will re-energize Ottawa’s entertainment scene,” will feature remarks by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and city officials, as well as representatives of the Seminole Tribe, Hard Rock and OLG.

In July 2022, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario penalised Hard Rock Ottawa C$227,250 for numerous breaches of the region’s standards for gaming at the Rideau Carleton Casino.

Among the 36 violations highlighted are advertising and marketing materials being distributed to self-excluded individuals and a failure to  implement, follow, and enforce required anti-money laundering policies and procedures.

In addition, it was discovered the operator failed to sufficiently protect gaming systems and data from security vulnerabilities, and had not ensured that staff completed necessary training in important areas.