The Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam has suspended operations along with all of Great Canadian Gaming’s casinos across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an email this morning, Johnny DeFazio, the company’s regional manager for stakeholder relations and social responsibility, said Great Canadian hopes to re-open once it receives further guidance from the province.
“We share your concern and, with that in mind, all 25 of Great Canadian’s gaming properties across the country closed for an indefinite period of time last night at midnight,” DeFazio said in a statement. “We’re hoping to re-open soon, once we receive direction from health authorities.”
The 105,000-sq. ft. Hard Rock Casino has approximately 960 slot machines, 43 table games and 28 touch bet roulette terminals. It also features a 1,051-seat theatre and six restaurants.
According to Great Canadian Gaming’s most recent financial statements, the company’s B.C. revenues were down 3% in the last three months of 2019 compared to the same time period in 2018. The company said the decrease is partially due to falling table revenue at River Rock, its Richmond casino.
The city of Coquitlam receives 10% of the Hard Rock Casino’s revenues as part of its casino operating agreement. The funds are used for the Spirit Grant program, which was launched in 2002 and has awarded more than $9 million to 200 community organizations.
During the last intake, for example, the Société Francophone de Maillardville received $107,242 to put on the 202 Festival du Bois while the United Scottish Cultural Society was awarded $82,974 for the 2020 BC Highland Games and Scottish Festival.
