Great Canadian Casino Vancouver

1996–2013: As Casino Coquitlam and Boulevard Casino

In 1996, the provincial NDP government allowed an expanded gambling initiative supporting slot machines, higher betting limits, and the creation of permanent casinos over temporary gaming halls. Great Canadian Entertainment planned to relocate its casino from Delta to Richmond, but this was rejected, as Richmond was initially concerned regarding the expansion before both cities later reverted these restrictions.^[1]

Great Canadian opened the Casino Coquitlam on October 13, 2001, and in 2005/2006, it was renamed the Boulevard Casino following a $105 million expansion and a renovation^[2] that added a parking garage that can hold 1,600 cars, and the 21,000-square-foot (2,000 m²) Red Robinson Show Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,074 and a spiral lift system.^[3] According to their 2006–2007 annual report, Boulevard Casino was the third most profitable gaming venue in B.C., earning over $158 million, an increase of $28.9 million from the previous year, attributed to the new show theatre hosting up to 5,000 guests on show nights.^[4]

The funding agreement with the province means the casino must give 10% of its net take to the City of Coquitlam. In 2010, Coquitlam received $8.2 million,^[5] which was used for a community group fund and major capital projects.

2013–2023: As Hard Rock Casino

On July 3, 2013, Great Canadian announced a sublicensing agreement from HRHH IP, LLC, an affiliate of Brookfield Property Partners that owned the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino rights west of the Mississippi River, informally the "Morton Territories."^[6] This agreement would include the rebranding of the Boulevard Casino to Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, named after Metro Vancouver,^[7] though the property did not have the rights to rebrand its theatre Hard Rock Live or feature an actual Hard Rock Cafe.^[8] Instead, announced on October 17 of that year, the arena would be rebranded as the Theatre at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver,^[9][10] which sparked severe local criticism by November.^[11] Red Robinson himself was disappointed when the main sign was destroyed, while another was stripped off of the building.^[12]

Hard Rock Casino Vancouver had its grand opening on December 20, 2013 as the first ever Hard Rock Casino location in Canada^[13] with a massive guitar flash mob, fireworks, music memorabilia from famous figures Pearl Jam, Madonna, Elvis Presley, and Bruce Springsteen.^[14] The $15 million renovation included an expanded 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m²) gaming floor with over 950 slot machines, Stake Steakhouse, the Asylum Restaurant, Unlisted Lounge, a four-eatery food court,^[15] and new carpets and paint.^[16]

In late May 2016, the theatre was rebranded again as the Molson Canadian Theatre due to a sponsorship.^[17] On September 30, 2016, Seminole Tribe of Florida-owned Hard Rock International acquired all of the western territorial rights, which dissolved the sublicensing deal to have the Vancouver casino's name licensed directly by Hard Rock.^[18] In May 2018, roughly 400 employees represented by the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) done a strike action in protest to unfair wages and bad working conditions, leading to the cancellation of several summer events, including the popular, yearly Ultimate Car Show.^[19]

2023–present: As Great Canadian Casino

In December 2023, it was rebranded again to Great Canadian Casino Vancouver.^[20]

In December 2025, it was announced that the casino would be acquired by Petroglyph Development Group, a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The transaction was subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory and third-party approvals.^[21]