Hard Rock International has begun work on its joint project with the Tejon Indian Tribe in California. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon featured a commemorative shovel groundbreaking and was attended by representatives of both Hard Rock and the Tejon Indian Tribe.

Described as an exciting day for the state, the ceremony is also a symbolic development for the tribe, which has been landless for more than 150 years. The new casino is a major victory for the Tejon, which, according to its chairman, Octavio Escobedo, is finally close to the “dream of self-determination through economic development.”

The casino hotel will create 2,000 construction-specific jobs and will be managed by the Penta Building Group. After its completion, the property is expected to create roughly 5,000 jobs, both full-time and part-time.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will also boast 150,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino is set to have 2,500 slot machines, 48 gaming tables and video poker. The property will also sport a multitude of dining options, a pool, a spa, a theater and 400 hotel rooms.

The casino hotel is expected to be completed within 22 months.

Hard Rock Names a New SVP of Hotel Operations

In the meantime, Hard Rock International expanded its team with the appointment of John Rees as its new senior vice president of hotel operations. The new appointee will be responsible for leading and supporting all facets of hotel operations and will serve directly under Jon Lucas, the company’s chief operating officer.

Rees boasts some 30 years in the hospitality industry and is a passionate innovator. He completed his hospitality studies at Newbury College and has since also secured certifications in restaurant management, leadership training and wine studies from acclaimed universities. Rees completed his hospitality training at the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern, Switzerland. He also holds an Honorary Degree in Culinary Arts from the Long Island Culinary Federation.

Rees said that he is thrilled to join the company at what he called a “pivotal point” for the Hard Rock brand.

Our future pipeline of hotel projects is very robust which will allow me to work with my teams to innovate and create more of the special brand touchpoints and guest experiences our fans expect.

John Rees, SVP of hotel operations, Hard Rock International

Rees concluded that he hopes to turn Hard Rock’s hotels into cool places to stay and feel like a VIP.

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The move comes after Penn Entertainment confirmed its plans to put down an additional $850 million on various expansion moves, which will not only apply to the M Resort, but also cover other of the company’s properties outside Nevada.

Penn Entertainment Gets Started with M Resort Expansion

As to M Resort, Penn has earmarked $206 million of its purse to expand the property as it expected higher demand for gaming and accommodation. Penn is looking at adding 384 rooms, which will bring the total to 774, as confirmed in an official statement.

The property will also update the amenities and expand meeting spaces. Although the company does not own the property, the buck is on the operator of the venue to ensure that it remains competitive through innovations and refurbishments, including expansions.

Based in Henderson, the venue is in a good position to use its refreshed look to siphon off tourists and visitors from competing properties and further establish itself as a local leader in a contested market. The M Resort expansion should go business as usual with Penn Entertainment expecting no disruptions in its planned realization schedule.

Construction should begin by late January or early February, and it should take the working crews around 18 months to bring the expanded property to completion.

M Resort VP and general manager Hussain Mahrous has welcomed the opportunity to see the local property continue to grow and added that the operator was excited to hire more people and contribute to the local job market.

“We look forward to hiring new team members and expanding the wonderful offerings that make M Resort a premier destination for visitors and convention attendees from across the country,” Mahrous explained.

Operating at Capacity, Time to Meet Demand

Mahrous also commented on the recent motivation to expand the M Resort property. Essentially, the property is running at capacity on busy weekends in Las Vegas, as highlighted by a string of recent events, and more prominent gatherings coming to pass in future years, including the Super Bowl at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 2024.

M Resort will certainly not be on time to meet demand for the Super Bowl, but Las Vegas and Nevada continue to draw well-heeled tourists that M Resort simply doesn’t want to miss out on. Expanding its capacity to meet this surging and sustained demand is what the company pursues right now.

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Japan’s first casino is finally becoming a reality. A few months after the Japanese government greenlit a revised implementation agreement for Osaka’s integrated resort project, construction of the property has finally begun.

The property is a joint venture of the international casino juggernaut MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation. The formal agreement was signed in late September, greenlighting the next phase of the project.

First of all, workers will have to solidify the land above to make sure that it can support the complex. Preparation works should cost roughly $173 million. The property owners will have to cover these costs now, although the local government has promised to return the money once the project is finished.

The Osaka integrated resort’s development will cost $8.6 billion, as per the September agreement. The 52-acre property is set to be built on Yumeshima, a 700-acre artificial island in Osaka Bay.

The completed resort will have three hotels from three different brands offering a total of 2,500 rooms for guests. The entire complex is expected to provide a huge boost to local tourism, which is why the property will feature a 730,000-square-foot convention space. The casino itself will only take 3% of the resort’s total indoor space.

Unless further delays impede the project, the resort should welcome its first guests in 2030.

Gaming Is Coming to Japan

The resort is de facto owned by the Osaka IR Corporation, in which MGM Resorts and Orix have a 42.5% stake each. The remaining stake is in the hands of various other investors.

Construction of the new resort was made possible by a new law Japan passed in 2018. Seeking to emulate the success of other tourism hubs in Asia, the country toned down its harsh stance on gambling.

While the new law got many companies excited, many of them were eventually disappointed by the country’s long legislative processes and the COVID-related delays. However, MGM Resorts opted to continue despite the setbacks and its bid is finally paying off.

While the Osaka IR Corporation is the only one actually working on an integrated resort project, there is another contender seeking to penetrate the local market. Casinos Austria is also looking to tap into Japan’s potential as a tourism and entertainment destination and is seeking to build a $3 billion resort in Nagasaki.

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Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has already begun and the property is due to open doors for guests early in 2025, taking over the Rideau Carleton Casino.

Hard Rock Casino Begins to Work on Its Hotel and Casino in Ottawa

The project marks the ambitious if somewhat tentative expansion of the company in Canada, with the hotel featuring a 150-room hotel with 22 suites, a dedicated gaming floor, and a sportsbook.

Guests will discover 1,500 slot machines and 40 live-action tables waiting with a high stakes gambling available on the property, including at a dedicated Baccarat room. The resort will also host the Hard Rock Live theater, which has room for 1,800 seated or 2,200 standing people.

The property will also feature bars, lounges, restaurants, and more, along with the Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse, Rock Shop, and Unity Store. In a sense, Hard Rock is pulling all the stops, making sure that it brings the full company experience to Ottawa which may serve as the basis for further expansions to follow.

Commenting on this opportunity, Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas said:

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.

Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas

Lucas similarly thanked the local partners for the company, as well as the regulators who have made it possible for Hard Rock to consider and now bring its project closer to realization.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario have offered invaluable support and help to make sure that construction may begin in a compliant and prompt manner.

Big Expectations for the Upcoming Project’s Economic Potential

This project is already touted as one of the biggest private investment developments and it will have an impact on the city’s economy, including 1,900 direct and indirect construction jobs.

This sentiment was reflected by Mark Sutcliffe, the city’s mayor, who said: “The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino represents a significant investment in the south end of our city. It will create new jobs and build on the existing attraction at Rideau Carleton Casino.”

The company is also committed to supporting local and Indigenous organizations through every means possible, including partnerships, sponsorships, and donations.

The post Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Begins Construction on First Property in Canada appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The OLG’s Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) will see interested parties submit their initial bids to bring innovation and growth to the iconic property. The casino is one of the most popular in Ontario and contributes substantially to the local economy, so choosing a future operator a vital decision that cannot be rushed. 

Only Experienced and Reputable Companies Can Apply

Featuring over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, 2,300 slot machines, 85 gaming tables, and sports betting options, the Windsor casino has established itself as one of the region’s premiere gambling destinations, providing jobs and generating millions of dollars in revenue each year. The current operator, Caesars Entertainment, has performed adequately at managing the property, but their contract ends in 2025, necessitating the recent RFPQ.

The OLG noted that it would only accept proposals from companies experienced with managing a large gaming resort. Such a requirement immediately narrows down available options to a few high-profile operators. Caesars Entertainment can also participate in the selection process and retain its operating rights. OLG president and CEO Duncan Hannay was excited to begin the process and ensure Ontario’s lasting reputation as a leading casino destination.

Selecting a highly qualified service provider… will ensure the long-term competitiveness of the site while continuing to generate economic benefits for the local community.

Duncan Hannay, OLG president, and CEO

Companies that meet the OLG’s strict requirements will then have to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) elaborating on their plans for the resort. The ideal operator will have the experience, resources, and vision necessary to operate the property successfully and maximize revenue for the province. Finding the perfect candidate can be difficult and time-consuming, so the OLG started the selection process with over a year to spare.

The Venue Is a Vital Part of the Local Economy

Selecting a new operator will impact more than just the casino. The city of Windsor receives roughly $10 million in payments each year, and the venue is a valuable source of employment. The casino’s proximity to the US border encourages tourism and bolsters surrounding businesses, making it a vital part of the local economy.

The company that wins the lucrative license will oversee the casino’s day-to-day operations, but the OLG retains its overall control over gaming in Windsor. Caesars appears to have an advantage due to its familiarity with the casino but other big players will try their best to offer a better proposition and take over the lucrative property. Ultimately, it will be up to the OLG to make the right choice.

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