Now, the facility is about to get the international Hard Rock treatment.Ĭity council in 2013 decided to keep all provincially sanctioned gambling at the Rideau Carleton Raceway as the OLG was going through its “modernization” program. The slot machines arrived in 1998, transforming the building into a small casino. The horse track has been operating since 1962. They won the Ottawa-based gambling rights from Ottawa Lottery and Gaming Corp. Hard Rock has the majority interest in its partnership with the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Hard Rock plans to add 750 slot machines to the existing 1,250 machines, but it doesn’t need the city’s approval for the slots. The company’s application also calls for a 2,500-seat theatre and a 200-room, nine-storey hotel.

Hard Rock is asking the city for permission to add 20 more gaming tables, for a total of 55 tables. The committee on Thursday voted 5-0 in favour of the rezoning that would allow Hard Rock to go ahead with a $318-million expansion at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Hard Rock Casino Ottawa has buy-in from council’s rural planning committee to add more gambling tables and build a bigger entertainment facility. Published on: | Last Updated: 12:42 PM EDT Rocksino expansion receives OK from rural planning committee (Though maybe some of them go back home on transit if they've lost too much.)

Most people go to casinos by private vehicle or by taxi.

I am on the Rapibus line that goes by Lac Leamy from time to time, and while you see people who are obviously casino patrons getting on or off there, it's no more than 1, 2 or 3 per bus. At least in a metro area configured like ours. That said, I agree with you that only a small fraction of people go to casinos via transit. I don't see how any public transport solution in my lifetime outside of a direct shuttle from downtown Ottawa will get people there in less than an hour. The drive from downtown Ottawa to Rideau-Carleton is about 30 minutes if you speed a bit and catch all the green lights on the way. And quite honestly, I just don't see people taking transit (having to transfer 3 times) to a casino.Ĭurrently the Rapibus service from downtown Ottawa brings you to the Station du Casino (a few steps away from the entrance) in 15-20 minutes. Why spend millions when a bus route will be more than adequate. I still don't understand why we would build a spur to the Casino.

Taxis from casino lac leamy to ottawa