Hard Rock International Named Land-Based Operator of the Year at 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas
Hard Rock International has been named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas. It is the third time the company has received the award, which recognises the top-performing land-based casino operator for performance across its properties over the past year.
All award winners were determined by a panel of 100 senior industry executives, and the voting process was independently adjudicated by KPMG US. This is the third time Hard Rock International has received the honour.
The Hard Rock openings and developments that judges highlighted
Judges underscored Hard Rock’s growth and operational excellence over the past 12 months, with two developments highlighted in particular.
The first was the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the company’s first fully integrated resort in Canada. The second was continued progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, which completed Phase One of development in Kern County, California, in November 2025.
The Hard Rock projects advancing in the period ahead
Hard Rock said it continues to advance several transformative projects beyond the developments cited by the judges.
These include:
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, featuring a new 42-storey guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens, the company’s landmark integrated resort development in one of Europe’s premier gateway cities
- Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park in Queens, New York, in partnership with Steve Cohen
Jeff Hook links the Hard Rock win to 55 years of music
Jeff Hook, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International, framed the win around the company’s identity.
“We’re honored to once again be recognized by the Global Gaming Awards Americas. 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.”
How Hard Rock performed across the other award categories
Hard Rock International was runner-up in two categories. The first was Responsible Business of the Year, recognising the scale of the company’s responsible gaming and social impact work. The second was Property of the Year for Hard Rock Casino Tejon, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, which opened last autumn and features 150,000 square feet of gaming space around 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.
The company was also shortlisted in categories including Digital Operator for Hard Rock Bet and Customer Loyalty Program for Unity by Hard Rock.
What the third Land-Based Operator of the Year win reflects for Hard Rock
The recognition marks the third time Hard Rock International has received the Land-Based Operator of the Year award, decided by a panel of 100 senior industry executives and adjudicated by KPMG US.
It reflects the company’s performance across its properties over the past 12 months, alongside its runner-up placements, its shortlisted entries, and the projects it continues to advance in Las Vegas, Athens and Queens.
Source: Hard Rock International
