written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
07 Jun 2023
Journalist, Editorial Department
Construction has officially begun on Canada’s first Hard Rock Casino in Ottawa, following several years of delays. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2025 and will replace the existing Rideau Carleton Casino.
The new resort will feature 1,500 gaming machines, 40 table games, a sportsbook, high-limit gaming options, and a baccarat room. Visitors will have access to a hotel with 150 rooms, including 22 suites. Additionally, the venue will offer ten restaurants, bars, lounges, and the Hard Rock Live theater, which will accommodate 1,800 guests.
John Lucas, Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich musical history to the residents of Ottawa and the surrounding areas. I want to thank the provincial and municipal officials who helped us gather here today. I would like to especially acknowledge the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for their incredible support in making this possible. We are grateful for our collaboration with them.” Lucas also emphasized, “We are a hospitality company. Our focus is on food and beverage, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, nightlife, and, by the way, we have gaming.”
The development is expected to create approximately 1,900 new jobs in Ottawa through private investment. The existing Rideau Carleton Casino will remain open during the construction of the new Hard Rock facility.
Helen MacMillan, General Manager of Rideau Carleton Casino, noted, “We had a few hours to talk with our team members about what’s to come, how it will look, and what it will mean for them. The excitement is definitely building.”
Meanwhile, Star Entertainment has postponed the opening of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane to April 2024.
