Hard Rock International wins top land-based operator award for third time
The award, judged by 100 industry executives, recognized the company's growth, including new resorts in Ottawa and California.
LAS VEGAS — Hard Rock International was named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas.
It is the third time the company has received the award, which is judged by a panel of 100 senior industry executives.
Judges highlighted Hard Rock's growth over the past year, including the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, its first fully integrated resort in Canada, and progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in California.
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"We're honored to once again be recognized by the Global Gaming Awards Americas," said Jeff Hook, chief operating officer at Hard Rock International.
"This recognition demonstrates how Hard Rock has built an unmatched gaming experience rooted in 55 years of music heritage and motivates us to keep raising the bar for our valued guests around the world."
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, a $350 million project, opened a year ago.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, opened in November 2025 and features 150,000 square feet of gaming space.
That property was also the runner-up for the Property of the Year award.
Hard Rock International was also a runner-up for Responsible Business of the Year and was shortlisted in categories including Digital Operator for Hard Rock Bet.
IGT repeats as supplier winner
IGT won the Casino Services Supplier of the Year award at the same ceremony, marking its second consecutive win in the category.
"Kicking off G2E 2026 by winning Casino Services Supplier of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards Americas for the second consecutive year is a powerful validation of the value IGT delivers to its customers," said Hector Fernandez, IGT CEO.
He said the IGT ADVANTAGE X casino management system is central to the company's vision for a connected gaming ecosystem.
The system is designed to give casino operators greater visibility into their gaming floors and deeper insights into player behaviour.
Hard Rock continues to advance several major projects, including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, which is due to open in 2027 and will feature a 660-foot guitar-shaped hotel tower.
Other projects include Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens and Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park in Queens, New York.
Online, Hard Rock Bet officially launched in Ontario in July and has shown strong growth in New Jersey, with online gaming revenue up 52 per cent year-over-year in May.
The company is currently running its 27th PINKTOBER promotion to raise money for breast cancer charities through slot tournaments and table game promotions.