The Rio Hotel & Casino celebrated the grand opening of its redesigned Baccarat Room on May 15, the crowning jewel of its overall property renovation. A ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by casino executives and media members revealed a new, upscale gaming environment geared toward experienced as well as casual baccarat enthusiasts.
Key Takeaways
- The Rio Hotel & Casino unveiled a modern Baccarat Room as part of its ongoing transformation plan
- Clark County approved a new eight-story hotel near Allegiant Stadium to support event tourism
- Caesars Palace Poker Room reopened after nearly a year-long closure due to renovation delays
Patrick Miller, President and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino, and Grant Rogers, Vice President of Casino Operations, presided over the ceremony. The new Baccarat Room is a highlight of the resort's multi-phased revitalization master plan to renovate the gaming floor as well as enhance guest experience.
The Baccarat Room was created in response to an increasing desire for table games. In particular, baccarat continues to be a steady earner in domestic as well as international gaming environments.
The interior and design of the room are tailored to suit a variety of players with comfort paired with aesthetics to create a welcoming atmosphere.
The building is being offered as part of a broader strategy to reposition Rio and keep pace with Las Vegas' continued evolution as the world entertainment capital.
The Baccarat Room opening is one of a widespread theme of renewal in Las Vegas. The city has witnessed many high-profile developments in recent years, including the opening of the Sphere and the hosting of an annual Formula 1 Grand Prix, which had its inaugural event on the Strip in 2023.
These developments will aim to expand Las Vegas' appeal beyond casino play and capitalize on a growing influx of foreign visitors and large event attendees.
Other projects to inject new life into Vegas
Contributing to the city's transformation is a new hotel development recently approved in the vicinity of Allegiant Stadium. The Clark County Zoning Commission approved an eight-story hotel to be built on the southwesterly corner of Quail Avenue and Valley View Boulevard on May 14.
This site is approximately five blocks from Allegiant Stadium and sits in the city's industrial sector, which is a shift in land use planning and urban development. The construction is expected to serve the ongoing need for lodging for stadium activities and conventions.
In the meantime, another significant Strip gaming redevelopment is the reopening of Caesars Palace Poker Room. Well over a year since it closed, the poker room has reopened after a lengthy delay.
The complex was first shut down in June of 2024 as part of a large-scale casino renovation project, which also included the renovation of a nearby high-limit slots area. Caesars Entertainment subsequently anticipated reopening the poker room in two or three months. The delay continued for nearly a year before poker customers were welcomed back this past weekend.
The Caesars Palace Poker Room reopening resurrects one of the most legendary poker rooms in the Strip. It ought to get local grinders' and foreign players' attention, especially with Las Vegas set for a busy summer tournament calendar, featuring the World Series of Poker.
