Hard Rock Wins 2026 Land Based Operator Of The Year

Hard Rock International has won Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas, its third time receiving the award. The Las Vegas event brought together 100 senior gaming executives for the judging process, with KPMG US independently adjudicating the vote.

Good to Know

• Hard Rock International has now won Land-Based Operator of the Year three times.
• Hard Rock Casino Tejon opened in November 2025 with 150,000 square feet of gaming space and more than 2,000 slots.
• Major Hard Rock projects are also under development in Las Vegas, Athens and Queens.

Hard Rock Expansion Helps Secure Third Award

Hard Rock Casino Tejon played a central role in the company performance highlighted by judges. The $600 million California property opened in November 2025 in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe and created more than 1,000 permanent jobs.

The casino includes more than 2,000 slot machines, over 50 table games and VIP gaming areas across a 150,000-square-foot floor. Phase Two calls for a 400-room hotel and a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live venue.

Hard Rock also opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, its first fully integrated resort in Canada, during the period considered by Global Gaming Awards judges.

Several larger developments remain in the pipeline. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will feature a 42-story guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip. The company is also working on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens and Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park in Queens with Steve Cohen.

“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.”

Hard Rock also finished runner-up for Responsible Business of the Year and Property of the Year for Hard Rock Casino Tejon. Hard Rock Bet reached the shortlist for Digital Operator of the Year, while Unity by Hard Rock competed for Customer Loyalty Program of the Year.

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