Rio Las Vegas Review for February 2026

I suppose I can’t tease a fascinating story and then not tell it, right? It’s a good place to begin, because to understand what Rio is now you have to know what it once was.

As most people know, The Mirage was the first modern mega casino-resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip, but Rio wasn’t far behind it. In fact, it opened just a couple of months after Mirage.

To be fair, it wasn’t quite ‘mega’ back in the day. While Mirage was one of the biggest hotels in the world from day one, Rio opened with less than 500 rooms. To be fair, they were all suites, and it was the first all-suite hotel in Las Vegas, but it was still a tick or two short of ‘mega.’

Everything else was there, though. There was incredibly strong and fun theming for a start. As the name suggests, Rio is a Brazilian Carnival themed property, and it really delivered that from day one. There was also some of the best neon in the city, and the property’s marquee sign is still one of the very best examples you will find.

The resort made itself something worth seeing as well by offering a free attraction. In that era it was common for Las Vegas casino resorts to have them. Bellagio has its fountains, Mirage had its volcano, Treasure Island had its pirate show, Excalibur had animatronics depicting Merlin battling a fire-breathing dragon. Rio, meanwhile, had a carnival in the sky hanging from tracks suspended above the casino floor.

That’s just how it used to be, and Rio did it very impressively.

With its distinctive red and blue glass exterior and brilliant pink and purple neon, Rio is unquestionably one of the best-looking casino resorts in Las Vegas too. Well, it’s certainly one of my favourites at least and always has been.

However, while all of this was happening on the Strip, Rio was happening off-Strip. That was a deliberate decision in the planning process as they felt their target market would be out-of-town Americans, mainly from California, and locals rather than international tourists.

With that demographic in mind, the location just off Interstate-15 made a lot of sense, especially since the Strip itself was not yet the mega-resort dominated destination it is today.

And, after a shaky start, Rio did really well early on. So well, in fact, that it had several expansions and now boasts 2,500 suites and villas.

Recent times have seen it really struggle, though. The off-Strip location has hurt it a lot, especially after being sold to Caesars who found it hard to market Rio to its customers when they had eight mega-resorts on the Strip itself to offer instead.

It has recently been sold, though, and is currently being run by Dreamscape. They are working through some big renovations plans and attempting to build an NBA Arena at Rio.

Therefore, at the time of writing, there is still a large degree of ‘watch this space’ about Rio. Exciting things – in theory – are happening. What, though, is the reality today?

Location

When you are on the Strip, Rio doesn’t look very far away at all. That is a common trick Las Vegas plays on visitors, though. The truth is that Rio is 1.5 miles away from the Strip.

To make things more difficult, Interstate-15 is actually between Rio and the Strip, so I wouldn’t recommend walking it. If you are desperate to, then you are looking at around a 30-minute walk to Caesars Palace.

Rio used to get around this problem by operating a free shuttle bus service between itself and sister-property Harrah’s on the Strip. They decided to end that in 2017, though, so guests are on their own now.

I can only presume ending the shuttle was an attempt to prevent people from taking Rio’s cheap off-Strip rates but then spending all their money on the Strip while they picked up the tab for transporting it.

Rio is not completely isolated, though. Palms and Gold Coast casino resorts are a 10-15-minute walk away.

If you are getting a taxi to and from the airport, by the way, Rio is in Zone 3 meaning the fare is set at $29 plus the all-important tip. If you are driving then you can benefit from free parking on site, which is rare for Vegas properties.

At the time of writing, the Rio casino, like most of the property, is undergoing a renovation. It’s still open while that happens but certain sections are closed off while construction happens.

That means that, in truth, it’s very hard to get an overly accurate read on it right now. It’s also impossible to really picture what it will be once it’s finished.

So, I ask you to bear all that in mind when reading the review. We’ll be thorough but through 2024 and 2025 we can expect a lot to change at Rio.

What I can tell you for certain, though, is the carnival ceiling attraction is long gone and not coming back, even if parts of the track are still visible. Shame.

That said, despite all that is going on, there is a little atmosphere left in the Rio, and an awful lot of the Brazilian street facias from the original theming are still there. That means it is still an interesting casino to play in despite all the work going on around you.

You even get regular in-casino shows from Bevertainers (beverage servers who double up as entertainers) who provide hourly choreographed dance routines and songs while you gamble.

Table Games Selection

I didn’t count a huge number of live tables at Rio, but I’d estimate between 40 and 50. That’s obviously a significant number, it’s just nothing unusual for Las Vegas.

They seemed to be in good condition too. I certainly had no complaints about the roulette table I was playing at.

What I did have complaints about was that there were far more triple-zero tables than double-zero, and I didn’t see a single-zero table at all. The extra frustration was that during my visit, the triple zero tables were the only ones that were actually open. All of the double-zero tables were closed.

It looked, therefore, like they maybe only open up the double-zero tables once the triple-zero ones are full, and almost certainly at a higher minimum.

I mean, look, triple-zero roulette is clearly here to stay and Vegas moves with the times like that. Nothing we can do about that. In all honesty, though, a situation where double-zero is the apparent treat is not a good one for the player. Anyway…

What was good was the variety of games in general. I counted around a dozen in total:

• Blackjack
• Free Bet Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat
• High Card Flush
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Pai Gow Poker
• Mississippi Stud
• Crazy 4 Poker
• Three Card Poker 

We have to talk about the poker situation and, I’m sorry poker players, it’s a familiar tale.

Rio used to host the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and that made it a significant venue for players – arguably the world capital for poker.

That ended in 2021, though, and since then they have closed their poker room entirely. To go from being the WSOP host venue to abandoning poker completely in just a few years is disappointing. It’s also perhaps a sign of the times with Las Vegas resorts examining every square foot of their gaming space and obsessing over how to maximise its profit.

That is their prerogative of course, and good business, but it’s not good for gamblers.

Slots

At full capacity – and I must stress that due to the sectioned off parts of the casino for remodelling – there are around 1,000 slots at Rio. That’s a strong, healthy number, especially for an off-Strip casino resort.

Of those 1,000 slots, I’d say around half of them are the very modern video slots. Getting the newest games is something Rio prides itself on and, again, it’s quite clever. Given their location, they have to give someone a reason to go out of their way to visit.

For example, Rio was one of the very first casinos in Las Vegas to get Huff N Even More Puff.

The usual favourites are there too, such as Dragon Link, Wheel of Fortune, and Buffalo variants. There is a strong selection of old-fashioned mechanical three-reel machines as well. They tend to be much lower volatility than modern video slots, and they have retained a lot of popularity as a result.

I thought the selection was generally what you’d expect it to be. For a night at the resort, it more than kept me amused. My big worry would be whether there is enough to keep me excited for three or four nights as a guest.

Given how Rio is relatively remote, guests will likely spend the vast majority of their time in the resort, so the casino needs to rise to the challenge. I don’t think Rio currently does in terms of its slots offerings, if I am completely honest.

However, if you are there for a night or two, or visiting for a show, it’s got plenty to keep you engaged.

Some of the games I saw in the Rio casino were:

• Dragon Link
• Railroad Riches
• Lightning Link
• Huff n More Puff
• Dragon Spin
• Dancing Drums
• Wheel of Fortune
• Double Top Dollar
• Pinball
• Ultimate Fire Link

Bar-Top Gaming

Bar-top gaming is a big part of the casino experience, even if it isn’t one you think of immediately. It’s especially loved by video poker players, but you can generally play electronic table games and a few slots at the terminals too.

There are a couple of nice places to do it at Rio too. The first is Shutters Bar, which is just beside the box office and theatre. It’s open 24 hours a day and is your standard casino floor bar space really.

The Lapa Lounge, meanwhile, which is near the lobby, is a cocktail lounge. It stays faithful to Rio’s theming by offering samba vibes, as well as some live music every night. It’s generally open around 3pm-3am, although times can vary very slightly on weekdays.

Remember, if you are bar-top gaming, you should be getting comped drinks as well. That won’t include the signature, expensive cocktails at Lapa, but single beers and mixers will be offered. If you have been playing a while and the bartender hasn’t offered you a drink, feel free to flag him down and ask. Again, remember to tip, though, especially if you want the best service.

Oh, and you can also do bar-top gaming in the sportsbook, by the way. 

Sportsbook

Speaking of the sportsbook, while there is one at Rio, I’d recommend managing your expectations.

The actual sports betting part is fine. It’s run by William Hill, who are a very trusted brand and they certainly know what they are doing. That means you can also download their app and make your wagers from your seats rather than at the desks and kiosks.

The problem with the sportsbook is that, like much else about the Rio, it’s kind of been left behind. When Rio was owned by Caesars, they made the very understandable decision to focus their investment on their on-Strip portfolio of assets.

Without doubt, that’s left the Rio sportsbook lagging behind the current standards. It’s comfortable, but don’t expect huge video walls like you get at Circa, Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace. It’s HD wall-mounted TVs which is fine, but very devoid of wow factor.

Waitress Service

Well, for starters, Rio doesn’t have ‘waitresses.’ It has Ipanema Girls. I actually kind of love that because determined resort theming is becoming a lost art in Las Vegas. Ipanema, if you were wondering, is a lively and character-filled neighbourhood and beach in Rio de Janeiro.

And, when I was there at least, the Ipanema Girls were very good at keeping a comped drink in your hand as you gambled. Not spectacularly brilliant or anything, but good. 

Perhaps that is due to the controversial decision in 2005 to place tracking tags in their uniforms to allow their bosses to know how long it was taking customers to get their drinks. I don’t know if they are still doing that, but it certainly caused a bit of an understandable uproar at the time.

What I do always caution with drinks service in casinos is that it is generally consistently inconsistent. It largely depends upon variables like what staff they have available on any given day or shift, and where you are sat within the casino. Just take it as you find, that would be my advice.

When you are getting drinks, though, remember to tip your waitress. Servers in Las Vegas rely on tips as it makes up most of their income. You don’t have to tip much, but $2-5 means significant savings for you compared to bar prices and a great deal to the person serving you.

High Limit Gaming 

Rio has a high-limit slots lounge that is actually a pretty impressive size. In total there are around 85 machines to play.

They include modern favourites such as Dragon Link and Huff N More Puff alongside some old classics like Top Dollar, Pinball and Cleopatra.

A really interesting feature here is that is uses SELFPAY technology. A regular high-limit gambler will know that it can be a frustration having to stop to wait for a slots attendant every time you win a handpay. It’s a momentum killer.

SELFPAY allows you to process jackpots on the slot machine yourself which cuts out the timely paperwork.

I never got to test out the system. I am really more of a ‘one handpay every blue moon’ kind of person, not the multiple jackpots in one sitting kind. In theory, though, it sounds good, even if it does remove some of the magic of having someone count your winnings into your hand.

Cash and Payment Options

Even the most regularly modernized casino resorts in Las Vegas are yet to embrace cashless gaming, so it will surprise no one that Rio hasn’t either.

It’s just not available in Las Vegas (except Resorts World in certain circumstances) and there are no signs it will be any time soon either.

That means you’re going to need cash to feed into the machines or hand to your dealer, and you should have it with you before you arrive at the casino. If you don’t, you’ll fall at the mercy of the ATMs and their large withdrawal fees that, last I checked, were around $10.

As I explained before, Rio Las Vegas as a casino-resort has a very interesting story and was one of the first to follow what has now become the modern established formula.

It was, therefore, at one time at least, a bit of a trailblazer and very innovative. For example, all-suite hotels in Las Vegas such as Vdara and W are now relatively common, but Rio did it first. They provided their own casino too, which neither of the other two I mentioned did.

That’s the past, though. What is Rio Las Vegas like as a casino-resort today?

Rio Las Vegas Rooms

So, if you want to be official about it, Rio doesn’t have rooms. It has suites. Once upon a time I wouldn’t have really known, or been bothered about, the differences between the two. However, my travels through Las Vegas one casino resort at a time has certainly opened my eyes to the difference now.

And, I have to say, I do love a suite. There is nothing wrong with hotel rooms, don’t get me wrong. In fact Las Vegas has some rooms that would be suites anywhere else in the world. If Las Vegas hotel rooms are that good, though, just imagine what Las Vegas suites are like!

So, that’s the good news.

The bad news is that while the casino has retained its great theming, the hotel part of the resort has not. Any samba flair and colour has been essentially stripped from the walls and furnishings – and replaced by beige.

Now, there is nothing wrong with beige. It’s a perfectly fine and inoffensive colour. It just doesn’t fit here. Here, among Bevertainers and Ipanema Girls and the brilliant colours of the exterior and rainbow neon marquee signs, beige is just plain boring.

At least my room was, anyway. I had a two queens suite and the only colour was on the curtains.

The suite itself was fine. It was spacious at more than 500 square feet and comfortable. It was just a bit soulless, and in what used to be, and still should be, such a soulful casino-resort, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

I don’t think my room was one of the ones remodelled by Dreamscape since they bought the property, so perhaps they will be addressing the beige problem. I don’t think they will, though. In fact, I think in the remodelled rooms they are making the curtains more beige too. Sigh.

There are also a lot of villas at Rio, although if you’re not a big high roller they probably won’t represent value to you.

Bars

I have already mentioned the Lapa Lounge, sports book bar, and Shutters Bar, but there are a couple others worth checking out.

Luckley Tavern and Grill is a pub-style bar that offers good quality beers and some wholesome American food. It’s a nice space and the food was pretty good.

While Luckley sells wine as well as beers and spirits, if you are a vino aficionado there is a better option for you at Rio. The Wine Cella Tasting Room allows you to test your palate, not just for wine but for bourbon, whiskey, and tequila too.

You will need to reserve to go there as they host tasting events, but it’s well worth a visit.

Sadly, the Masquerade Bar which was where some of the best Rio theming was, was closed as part of the renovations during my visit.

Buffets and Restaurants

If you are a fan of buffets in Las Vegas and are frustrated by how they have slowly started to disappear, I have some good news and bad news for you.

The good news is that Rio has a buffet. The bad news is that it’s Indian food. Now, for some people, that might actually be two sets of good news. We have a lot of Indian cuisine in the UK and it’s incredibly hard to find in Las Vegas.

It doesn’t offer breakfast, though.

If breakfast is what you’re looking for, there is a Hash House A Go Go. It’s a bit of a Vegas staple now and Harrah’s and Plaza both have one too. The breakfasts are very good, but be prepared for big portions – and when I say big, I mean BIG.

Fans of Asian food can try Shogun Ramen which specialises in dumplings, Korean barbeque place Kang’s Kitchen, and KJ Dim Sum.

Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho is a popular Mexican place with a celebrity chef name attached, and VooDoo Steak is Rio’s steakhouse. If you just want a good old fashioned burger, then Smashburger is for you.

One area that Rio excels is in the quick eats department. They have a great food court there where you will find the following:

• Attaboy Burger
• Tony Luke’s
• Southland Burrito Co
• Shogun Ramen
• Nama Nama
• Tender Crush

Naturally, there is a Starbucks at Rio too.

Shows and Entertainment

While there is a lot about Rio that they want to change, and are trying to change, one thing that they need no help with at all is their entertainment.

That is because it is provided by the perpetually popular Las Vegas legends Penn and Teller.

The magical duo are the longest running headliners in Las Vegas history, and there is a lot of history to compete with. They obviously combine some real humour with their amazing magic tricks and the show has lasted this long for a reason.

There is a second residency at the Rio and it’s another act you’d heard of – The Chippendales. I didn’t check it out myself, but I think we all know what to expect there.

Meanwhile, WOW – The Vegas Spectacular is, judging by its name alone, not lacking in confidence. It’s a family show that does wow, in fairness, with water-walking dancers, acrobats, and (fully trained) people shooting crossbows at other performers. It’s really good, although you do spend a lot of your time hoping no one is going to break their neck.

As well as the wine and bourbon tasting events I mentioned earlier, there is also KISS by Monster Mini Golf, which is always fun. Oh, and there is a comedy club too.

So, as you can see, there is plenty to do at Rio.

Let’s get this out of the way first: there is no spa at Rio currently. Whether there will be as part of the redevelopments there, I don’t know. That’s a shame I think, but you’re never too far away from a spa in Las Vegas, so it’s not a huge deal.

What Rio lacks in a spa they make up for with a brilliant pool complex, though. It’s part of the remodelling project and they’ve kept the really cool waterfall.

There are also the usual daybeds and cabanas to enjoy. If you want a standard lounger right by the pool you will have to reserve it for a price, but free ones are available too.

Spa

There is no spa at Rio, which is perhaps understandable given it's status nowadays. In fact, very few off-Strip resorts have them. 

Rio has its own rewards programme called, rather unimaginatively but utterly understandably, Rio Rewards.

In fairness, it’s quite good too but, then again, it had to be. Until recently they were part of Caesars Rewards and as a result could benefit from a mailing list of tens of millions of people. Now they are on their own, they have to make themselves extra attractive.

The bones of Rio Rewards are the same as any other loyalty programme. You gamble and spend at Rio and you receive resort credit and tier points. The higher tier you get, the better the perks.

The conversion numbers are quite good too, and Rio boast they give eight times the freeplay that Caesars do on the same slots coin-in. I didn’t have time to verify that claim, but it wouldn’t surprise me either.

There are four levels: Rouge, Azul, Gold, and Platinum, and one thing I like about it is that you immediately get a small amount of freeplay for signing up. It’s only $8, but that’s $8 more than you get in most other casinos.

All members, no matter their level, get discounted ATM fees as well, and from Azul level onwards you get tier celebration resort credit, monthly dining vouchers, daily complimentary drinks at a casino bar, and annual complimentary show tickets. Resort fees are also waived from Azul upwards.

It’s a good programme. Whether it’s enough to overcome the challenges the property faces in terms of location remains to be seen.

I do have a bit of a soft spot for Rio and I can’t deny it. A lot of that is because I genuinely think it’s one of the best-looking casino resorts in Las Vegas.

However, I also have affection for it because it’s a real trier of a property. It’s had too many years of neglect, but it’s still giving its all. It’s tried ziplines and hosting go-kart events in the parking lot, it tried hosting WSOP. Every time it gets knocked down, though, it jumps right back up and tries something new.

That’s been Rio’s cycle, and it’s still locked in it with the new remodelling and renovations.

So, for now, Rio is quite hard to judge in terms of what it is going to be in the next few years.

I do still like what it is right now, though. It has theming, personality, good food, great entertainment, and a nice pool complex. That’s plenty to make a quality casino resort.

It’s just not enough to hold you there for more than one or two nights I think, especially with the Las Vegas Strip so close.