Future Hard Rock
Hard Rock is on its way!
Projected community & economic impact
Canada's first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is on its way
Coming 2025: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Once fully complete, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa will offer a world-class entertainment experience including a Hard Rock Hotel, Expanded Gaming Floor, Hard Rock Live theatre, Rock Shop and more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the award-winning and iconic Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steaks & Seafood.
Aerial View
Main Entrance
Casino Side Entrance
Hotel
Lobby Bar
High Limit Gaming Entrance
High Limit Gaming
Plum Lounge
Baccarat Room
YouYu Noodle Bar
Food Hall
Hard Rock Cafe
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
Hotel Room
Hotel Suite
Hard Rock Live
Media Kit
Download our media kit or contact us for press inquiries today.
Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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In March 2012, following the direction of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced its modernization plan to build a new model for lottery and gaming in Ontario by expanding private sector involvement, capitalizing on private sector innovation and expertise.In 2013, Ottawa City Council pronounced the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino as the only acceptable location for an expanded gaming operation in Ottawa. Gaming has taken place at the site since 1962 and slots were installed in 2000 in order to provide a boost to the harness horse-racing industry and the rural economy.In 2017, Hard Rock International (HRI) announced that its partnership with the Rideau Carleton Casino - had been selected by OLG as the successful proponent to expand gaming operations.HRI’s foray into the Ottawa market was a crucial first step towards its larger strategic vision of their world-class expansion efforts in Ottawa and throughout Canada.
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Construction has now started on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa after a pause and re-assessment due to the pandemic.Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is expected to open in late spring 2025.Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock remains open 24/7 during construction.
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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa will continue to offer the crowd-pleasing raceway programming that Ottawa residents and tourists have enjoyed over the last 60 years.In addition, we are looking to redefine the gaming experience to make Ottawa a world-class entertainment destination.The new facility is expected to open in late spring 2025, and will include:
- A 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, including 22 suites
- Hard Rock Casino with 1,500 slot machines, 40 live action table games, Sportsbook, high-limit gaming and a Baccarat room
- An 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theatre with standing room for 2,200
- More than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the award-winning and iconic Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
- World-renowned Rock Shop and Unity Store
The existing facility areas will also be renovated with an estimated completion date of December 2025.The Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock remains open during construction. -
The estimated timeline for the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is late spring 2025.The current facility and all amenities are open to the public 24/7 during construction, including Rideau Carleton Casino and Rideau Carleton Raceway.
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An economic impact study conducted by Shore-Tanner & Associates in 2018 highlighted several positive economic impacts stemming from this unique and exciting project:
1. Recaptured spending - $60M annually
Nearly $60 million dollars is lost annually to Quebec from Ontario residents and tourists currently travelling to the neighbouring province for gaming entertainment. The development of a high quality gaming and entertainment destination in Ottawa will recapture that spending.2. Construction spending and jobs - $350M + 1,900 jobs
The $350 million construction project, which began in 2018 as a multi-phase project, is one of the largest private investment developments currently in Ottawa. It is expected to create close to 1,900 direct and indirect construction jobs in rural Ottawa and beyond.3. OLG payments to host communities - annually for City of OttawaSince the gaming site was added in February 2000, the City of Ottawa has received approximately $6 million annually and over $93 million in total payments from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for hosting Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock within the National Capital Region. The project will also generate significant tax revenues for the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario and the federal government during construction and once fully operational. -
This project is expected to create 1,900 direct and indirect construction and ongoing jobs in rural Ottawa and beyond. After completion, the number of direct on-site jobs is projected to increase from 400 today to more than 700.
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A Transportation Impact Assessment Report (TIA) prepared in December 2017 concluded that the proposed expansion of the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock will have “minimal impact and no requirements on the immediately adjacent road networks.”The report notes that the site’s peak traffic generation hours are not the same as the existing commuter peak hours and that its traffic generation during the existing morning and afternoon commuter peak hours is not significant.Further, the City has planned improvements to the area’s arterial road system beyond 2031 to address current and projected peak hour congestion. They include:
- Widening Lester Road to four lanes
- Realigning and widening Leitrim Road to four lanes
- Albion Road widening from Lester Road to realigned Leitrim Road
- Widening of Bank Street from Leitrim Road to Rideau Road
- Additional capacity (through lanes) at the Albion/Leitrim intersection
- Extending Earl Armstrong Road east to Bank Street to attract some of the Albion Road traffic over to Bank Street.
The TIA can be found on the City’s Development Applications site at https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/transportation-planning -
LRT Stage 2 South Extension of the Trillium Line will bring additional public transit closer to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, and is scheduled for completion in 2025.With regard to the extension of OC Transpo and Para Transpo bus service, these are the responsibilities of OC Transpo. Hard Rock will work with OC Transpo to determine how best to provide these services as the project advances.
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Absolutely! In addition to world-class talent featured in 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theatre, smaller stages in Hard Rock Cafe and Lobby Bar Lounge will offer even more opportunities to showcase local and up-and-coming talent.
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Hard Rock Live will be your destination for the best in live entertainment. Concerts, comedy shows, dance performances—we host it all in our state-of-the-art concert and event venues. Hard Rock Live features both locally and internationally known artists.
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Hard Rock holds the largest collection of music memorabilia in the world. The Hard Rock Memorabilia Team is already curating a collection of memorabilia with a uniquely Canadian twist that will be displayed throughout the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.
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The Joint, Caffé Italiano and Mr. Lucky's are currently out of scope for the expansion project and will remain open during construction.
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No. Rideau Carleton Raceway is an internationally recognized name in the horse harness racing community and the name will remain the same, referring to the racing operations.
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Our expansion project includes plans that will not only re-energize the Ottawa entertainment scene but also give our local economy and horse racing industry a significant boost.We are creating a sustainable model for racing in Ottawa for generations to come. We continue to be steadfast in our commitment to delivering the crowd-pleasing raceway programming Ottawa residents and tourists have enjoyed over the last 60+ years.
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The Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock team is working hard to ensure all updates related to the project are made available on this website www.rideaucarletoncasino.com.Updates and announcements will also be available to followers of the Rideau Carleton Casino social media pages, and by email to members of our Rock Star Rewards program. You can sign up to be a member of the Rock Star Rewards program by visiting the Rock Star Rewards desk at the casino. It’s easy and free, with government ID and must be 19+.
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Minors (under 19 years old) will be allowed in the Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Live theatre as they will have their own entrances. Access to the casino floor, including the restaurants, will be 19+.
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Our commitment to Responsible Gaming is integral to our business. We are a proud recipient of the Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the National Council on Problem Gaming.We will continue to maintain high standards and offer responsible gambling programs in Ottawa, while implementing the OLG’s innovative PlaySmart responsible gaming program.We are committed to developing and implementing a Responsible Gaming program that will include customer awareness tactics, protection tools, employee empowerment and ongoing monitoring.
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Yes! We are seeking talented individuals to join the band and help launch the Hard Rock brand in the region. Members of the Hard Rock band have excellent pay potential and outstanding benefits, including medical, pharmacy, vision, dental, disability insurances, pension plan, generous paid time off, free parking, retail discounts, tuition reimbursement and much more. If you are interested, make sure to check our job listings at rideaucarletoncasino.com/careers.
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A separate project will be underway to migrate our current Rock Star Rewards program to Unity by Hard Rock, a global loyalty program unlike any other. Timing for implementation will be announced at a later date. With Unity, you can earn and redeem incredible rewards while doing what you love at participating Hard Rock Hotels, Cafes, Rock Shops, Casinos, Seminole Gaming locations and more.
About Hard Rock
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning over 300 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 88,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe.
Hard Rock Hotels has been honored by J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for two consecutive years, and among the top Upper Upscale Hotels for four consecutive years. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021, and has since been honored threefold. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World's Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming and Entertainment Industry. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years.
Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
Media inquiries can be submitted to: MEDIA INQUIRIES