The $318 million renovation and expansion of the Hard Rock Casino Ottawa at the Rideau Carleton Raceway could attract as much as $62 million from rival casinos in the area, according to an economic impact report the raceway-casino partnership commissioned.
The report, prepared by the consulting firm of Shore-Tanner & Associates admits to being speculative and not grounded in solid economic data. The “super-regional” entertainment center could attract from a market stretching from Eastern Ontario to Vermont and New York state, said the study.
The expansion will add 750 slots and 35 tables to bring the total to 2,000 machines and 55 tables. The exact methodology for how the report comes up with $62 million is not spelled out in the report.
Nevertheless, the report stated, “In any case, we are confident that HR Ottawa will re-capture millions of dollars from Casino Lac-Leamy annually.”
The Hard Rock is betting on patrons being attracted to a new, state-of-the-art casino as well as its international reputation.
