Published on: May 16, 2026, at 11:12h.
Updated on: May 16, 2026, at 11:12h.
- Hard Rock Digital has received a gaming license in Ontario
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially opened in 2025
- The regulated igaming sector in Ontario now features 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming platforms
Hard Rock Digital Canada Ltd. has successfully obtained a gaming operator license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for its Hard Rock Bet platform, as initially reported by SNBET.ca.
One-Year Gaming License
The license was granted on May 14 and will remain valid until May 13, 2027. Casino.org reached out yesterday for further details on the launch of the igaming site. The company indicated that no additional information is available at this moment.
This licensing announcement is not unexpected. A year ago, Casino.org published an article mentioning that a senior industry source had informed us that Hard Rock Digital had applied to AGCO for an igaming license in connection with their plans to acquire PointsBet Canada.
At that time, Betr Entertainment was competing with MIXI for the acquisition of Australia-based PointsBet, with a strategy to transfer PointsBet Canada to Hard Rock in a deal worth USD $29.6 million.
MIXI Acquisition
As industry insiders know, this acquisition did not materialize, as MIXI ultimately acquired PointsBet.
Currently, Hard Rock Bet holds licenses and operates in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia for online sports betting. It is also authorized for online casino operations in New Jersey and Michigan.
In 2017, Hard Rock International secured a controlling stake in the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, announcing plans for redevelopment.
Launch Date Information Pending
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa debuted in 2025 after a $350 million redevelopment that introduced a 150-room hotel, expanded gaming areas, live table games, high-limit sections, diverse dining options, and the Hard Rock Live entertainment venue.
Questions remain about how Hard Rock plans to integrate their upcoming igaming platform with the existing land-based casino operations.
As of this morning, Ontario’s regulated igaming market comprises 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites, according to the iGaming Ontario website.