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It’s shocking how many folks don’t realize that the legendary Hard Rock brand is owned by a Native American tribe in Florida. The Seminoles bought the 100-plus properties from Rank Group in 2006 — so we’re going in almost 20 years of ownership.
It was a kingmaker deal as the Seminoles are one of the richest Native American tribes in all of the United States. Valuing their worth is almost impossible since they aren’t obligated to report numbers, but it’s easily in the billions. This empire is run out of Florida, which has become a golden goose market for Hard Rock.
As you probably know, the state of Florida has a 30-year compact with the Seminoles to offer legalized betting. Through this compact, Hard Rock has several casinos around Florida, plus a mobile sports betting app in Hard Rock Bet. Florida is one of the biggest markets in the country, and even larger than most countries so this exclusivity is no small deal.
However, don’t think the Seminoles are resting on their laurels. They continue to expand, this time internationally — all while facing another lawsuit in Florida. Let’s take you into the latest news regarding the tribe.
Seminoles Enter Canada Casino Market
Hard Rock is a global business. But… for all their success, there’s one country that’s evaded them, on the casino side at least. Yep, we’re talking about Canada. Hard Rock just launched a casino in Ottawa, giving them their first fully integrated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It completes a project that cost them $350 million.
It’s been a decade in the making. What started back in 2017 when Hard Rock took over day-to-day operations at the old Rideau Carleton Raceway has finally transformed into a mega resort, packed with everything from a 150-room hotel to a sprawling 150,000-square-foot casino floor.
And this place is loaded to the brim. We’re talking 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action table games, high-limit areas, ten restaurants and bars, plus a state-of-the-art concert venue. That venue — Hard Rock Live — opened with back-to-back performances by David Foster, Katharine McPhee, and Avril Lavigne. Not a bad way to announce your arrival, eh?
There’s more coming too. Renovations on the original building will kick off soon and be integrated into the current footprint by the end of 2025, adding even more dining and gaming space.
Hard Rock says this is about more than just a casino — it’s about planting roots. Through their Heals Foundation, the Ottawa team is already backing community events and local partnerships, including with the PWHL’s Ottawa franchise. Undoubtedly, they want to create goodwill and expand further and further out in Canada.
Trouble Brewing At Home
As we alluded to earlier, Florida is the Seminoles home base — historically and business-wise. But, that home base is under threat (again). Ever since the Seminoles signed a compact with the state in 2021, they’ve faced lawsuit after lawsuit, especially on the sports betting in Florida front. Welp, those troubles are back.
The new lawsuit, filed by a group called Protect the Constitution LLC, is turning heads because it’s going after the compact from a fresh legal angle. Rather than trying to fight this in federal court or use an obscure writ, the group is asking a Florida circuit judge to rule that the whole 2021 compact is unconstitutional under state law.
Their argument hinges on a 2018 amendment that requires voters to approve any expansion of “casino gambling.” And while the state and Seminoles say this doesn’t apply because all sports bets technically route through tribal servers, the plaintiffs are saying that’s just a loophole. A clever one, sure — but still a workaround that skips voter input, which renders the whole thing illegal.
It’s not a small challenge either. Because if the court agrees, it could unravel the entire foundation of Hard Rock Bet in Florida. That’s the kind of disruption that might even spook their businesses in other markets. Like we said before, the Florida monopoly is the golden goose of the company. It likely props up Hard Rock’s less profitable businesses elsewhere.
But just how much money is at stake, you ask? Well, the Seminoles have already paid the state $2.5 billion over five years for the exclusive rights. And that number likely pales in comparison to what they’re actually raking in through the app and their brick-and-mortar casinos.
So for now, the tribe expands into Canada with a new mega-resort while their Florida empire stays under legal fire. They may have won in federal court and dodged the Supreme Court in the past, but this fresh state-level challenge is anything but a done deal. Because in Florida, the fight over gambling is never really over — not when there’s this much money on the line.
We’ll be following all things Hard Rock closely — lawsuits, expansion, possible executive changes, and more. Be sure to check up cause things are going to get juicy from here on out.
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