Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
Rio Las Vegas is an off-Strip hotel and casino resort in Paradise, Nevada, known for its all-suite format, Brazilian Carnival theme, casino, entertainment, conventions and long association with the World Series of Poker.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Overview
Rio Las Vegas is a casino hotel resort located west of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The property opened on January 15, 1990, as the first all-suite hotel-casino in the Las Vegas Valley. It was developed by Anthony Marnell and built by Marnell Corrao Associates on land acquired by Marnell’s company, MarCor. From its opening, the resort differentiated itself through a Brazilian Carnival concept, colorful décor, themed entertainment and a suite-only lodging model rather than through a conventional Strip tower format. The original resort contained 424 suites, a 44,000-square-foot casino, restaurants, bars and a waterfall pool. Its early performance was weak, largely because it was located away from the main Strip corridor and initially depended on local residents and motorists from Southern California. Marnell assumed a more direct operating role after the first year and concentrated his company’s resources on the property. A series of expansions during the 1990s transformed the Rio into a major resort. Hotel additions increased capacity, casino space was enlarged, and the property added restaurants, nightlife, convention facilities, a spa, retail space and high-roller accommodations. The Ipanema Tower developed into a three-wing structure, while the later Masquerade Tower rose 41 stories and was paired with the Masquerade Village retail and dining complex. The resort’s themed identity was reinforced by attractions such as the Masquerade Show in the Sky, a Mardi Gras-inspired indoor retail and entertainment area, Brazilian-themed performers and the Ipanema Girls cocktail-service concept. During its strongest 1990s period, the Rio attracted both locals and visitors, pursued younger customers and international high rollers, and received favorable recognition for value, rooms, dining and service. Its rapid growth helped demonstrate that a large destination resort could succeed outside the traditional Strip frontage. Harrah’s Entertainment agreed to acquire the Rio in August 1998 and completed the purchase in 1999 for $766 million. Under Harrah’s and, after 2010, Caesars Entertainment, the property remained a significant casino and convention resort but received less strategic attention relative to the company’s Strip assets. Competition from newer resorts, changing customer preferences, gaming performance and maintenance issues contributed to a decline from its earlier prominence. Nevertheless, the Rio retained an important events and entertainment role. It hosted the World Series of Poker from 2005 through 2021, accommodated conventions and regular special events, and presented performers including Penn & Teller, who began a long-running residency in 2001. The property also experienced operational and regulatory difficulties. In 2007, county inspections followed reports that numerous room renovations had been completed without required permits and inspections. Investigators found fire-safety and construction deficiencies, including missing fire sealant, unsealed openings and unauthorized electrical work; Harrah’s received criminal misdemeanor citations. The episode led to room closures and extensive corrective work. In 2019, Caesars sold the real estate to Dreamscape owner Eric Birnbaum for $516 million while retaining casino operations under a lease. Caesars’ lease ran until October 2023, after which Dreamscape assumed operational control. A two-phase renovation program began in August 2023, with Marnell again involved as architect because of his connection to the resort’s original development. The contemporary Rio combines hotel suites, gaming, dining, entertainment, convention facilities and a Brazilian-inspired identity, though its ownership and operating structure differ from the Caesars era.
History
The Rio began with the purchase of a vacant site by Anthony Marnell’s MarCor in 1988. The company announced plans for an all-suite hotel-casino later that year and broke ground on February 9, 1989. Marnell Corrao Associates designed and constructed the project. The resort opened on January 15, 1990, with 424 suites, a 44,000-square-foot casino, five restaurants, five bars and a Brazilian Carnival theme. It employed approximately 1,500 people and initially targeted Las Vegas residents, Southern California motorists and visitors willing to travel beyond the main Strip frontage. The location created an early challenge. The property struggled during its first two years, prompting Marnell to take over operations approximately ten months after opening. MarCor subsequently sold its other properties and focused on the Rio. Performance improved, and the resort entered a rapid expansion cycle. A 437-unit hotel addition broke ground in January 1993; further work expanded casino capacity and brought the hotel to 861 units by the end of that year. Additional investment in 1994 and 1995 added suites, meeting space, a health club and salon, restaurants and nightlife facilities. A major expansion began in 1996. It added six restaurants and a 41-story tower, later known as the Masquerade Tower, increasing total lodging capacity to more than 2,500 rooms or suites. Masquerade Village opened in February 1997 as a two-level retail, restaurant and entertainment complex at the tower’s base. The resort also developed convention space, high-roller villas and a separate Palazzo Suites area. Its Brazilian theming, indoor parade-style attractions, nightlife and broad entertainment offering helped it become one of Las Vegas’s fastest-growing resort properties in the 1990s. Travel and dining publications gave the resort strong value, service, room and restaurant ratings during this period. Harrah’s Entertainment agreed to buy the Rio in August 1998 and completed the transaction in 1999 for $766 million. Harrah’s added or modified high-roller facilities, increased convention capacity and explored further development of the surrounding acreage. The property’s performance later weakened amid table-game losses, the departure of entertainer Danny Gans and competition from newer Strip resorts. Harrah’s reduced staffing and experimented with partnerships and marketing initiatives, including a Maxim-oriented nightlife and promotional program intended to attract younger customers. The Rio added infrastructure and event capacity during the 2000s. A power plant began preliminary operations in 2004, and a $39 million Pavilion Convention Center expansion opened in 2005. That year the property became the host site for the World Series of Poker, which remained a major source of identity and traffic until the event moved elsewhere after the 2021 series. Penn & Teller began performing at the Rio in 2001, and the property hosted numerous other entertainers, conventions and special events. The resort also hosted recurring kart-racing, science-fiction and technology gatherings. The most serious documented operational controversy occurred in 2007. County officials reopened an investigation after reporting found that renovations in the Ipanema Tower had been performed without permits and inspections. Subsequent inspections identified missing fire sealant, unsealed openings, unauthorized lights and electrical outlets, and other construction deficiencies. Rooms and sections of the tower were closed while repairs were made, and Harrah’s received four criminal misdemeanor citations. After the Great Recession, Caesars concentrated much of its investment and cash flow on its Strip properties. The Rio remained open but faced complaints concerning upkeep and service, while its off-Strip location made cross-marketing to Caesars’ Strip customers more difficult. Caesars considered offers for the property, including a proposal from Penn National Gaming, but no sale occurred until 2019. Harrah’s Entertainment changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation in 2010. In 2019, Caesars sold the Rio’s real estate to Dreamscape owner Eric Birnbaum for $516 million. Caesars retained operating rights through a lease that ran until October 2023. Dreamscape then assumed operations and began a two-phase renovation in August 2023. Marnell was hired as architect, reconnecting the redevelopment with the resort’s original designer and developer. The Rio continues as an active hotel and casino resort with suites, gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting facilities.
- 2023
Dreamscape takes operational control
[1]Dreamscape assumed operations after the Caesars lease ended and launched a renovation program.
- 2019
Dreamscape buys the real estate
[1]Dreamscape acquired the property while Caesars continued casino operations under lease.
- 2010
Harrah’s adopts Caesars name
[1]Harrah’s Entertainment was renamed Caesars Entertainment Corporation.
- 2007
Renovation inspection controversy
[1]County inspections uncovered unpermitted work and fire-safety deficiencies in the Ipanema Tower.
- 2005
World Series of Poker moves to Rio
[1]The Rio became the event’s host casino through the 2021 series.
- 2001
Penn & Teller begin Rio engagement
[1]The magician duo began a long-running residency at the property.
- 1999
Harrah’s acquisition closes
[1]Harrah’s Entertainment completed its $766 million purchase of the Rio.
- 1997
Masquerade Village opens
[1]The indoor retail, restaurant and entertainment complex opened at the base of the new tower.
- 1993
First major expansion
[1]New hotel and casino capacity began a rapid expansion that established the Rio as a major resort.
- 1990
Rio opens
[1]The resort opened on January 15 as the first all-suite hotel-casino in the Las Vegas Valley.
Products and positioning
A large, entertainment-led Las Vegas resort positioned around all-suite accommodation, casino gaming, Brazilian Carnival-inspired theming, conventions and value-oriented destination hospitality outside the central Strip corridor.
Hospitality · 1990
Rio hotel suites
The Rio was conceived as an all-suite resort and opened with 424 suites. Repeated tower and wing expansions during the 1990s increased the property to more than 2,500 lodging units. Accommodation remains the central hospitality product, supported by themed public spaces, pools, restaurants, entertainment and meeting facilities.
Gaming · 1990
Rio casino
The casino opened at 44,000 square feet with slot machines and table games and later expanded substantially. In the 2010s it was described as covering approximately 117,300 square feet, with gaming integrated into the resort’s food, entertainment and loyalty-driven hospitality model.
Retail and entertainment · 1997
Masquerade Village
Opened in 1997, Masquerade Village was a two-story, Mardi Gras-inspired complex containing retail stores, restaurants, a wine cellar and the Masquerade Show in the Sky. It extended the Rio’s Brazilian and carnival identity beyond the casino floor.
Meetings and events · 2005
Convention facilities
The Rio developed substantial convention capacity during the Harrah’s period. Existing meeting space was expanded and the Pavilion Convention Center opened in 2005 after a $39 million project, supporting conventions, tournaments and specialty events.
Live entertainment · 2001
Penn & Teller
Penn & Teller began performing at the Rio in 2001. Their residency became one of the property’s most durable entertainment associations and helped maintain the resort’s profile as a destination for live shows.
Controversies
2007
Unpermitted renovations and fire-safety deficiencies
County inspections found that room renovations had been undertaken without required permits and identified missing fire sealant, unsealed openings, unauthorized electrical work and other defects. Numerous rooms were closed for inspection and repair, and Harrah’s received four criminal misdemeanor citations.
2000
Employee retaliation and unionization allegations
The National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint alleging that the Rio had fired or harassed employees seeking union representation. The Culinary Workers Union later sued to represent employees, and the property became unionized in January 2001 after majority support.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Resident discount initiative
Las Vegas, Nevada
The resort began offering discounts to local residents to strengthen its connection with the Las Vegas market. The initiative reflected the resort’s continuing reliance on local business because of its off-Strip location.
Outcome. The initiative reflected the resort’s continuing reliance on local business because of its off-Strip location.
- 2008Mobile marketing program
United States
The Rio introduced an opt-in text-message program offering promotions and customer communications through mobile marketing. The program formed part of the property’s effort to maintain direct engagement with guests after the recession.
Outcome. The program formed part of the property’s effort to maintain direct engagement with guests after the recession.
- 2001Maxim Lounge partnership
United States
The Rio partnered with Maxim to advertise the resort to younger customers and stage branded parties at the property after its earlier young-adult audience had shifted toward newer resorts. The partnership was associated with improved cash flow, although the resort’s longer-term competitive position remained difficult.
Outcome. The partnership was associated with improved cash flow, although the resort’s longer-term competitive position remained difficult.
Brand decisions
2023
Begin a two-phase property renovationStrategyBackground
Dreamscape took operational control and sought to update the aging resort while retaining its established identity and large-scale facilities.
Action taken
A two-phase renovation began in August 2023, with Marnell hired as architect.
Aftermath
The property entered a redevelopment phase under Dreamscape ownership and operation.
2019
Separate real-estate ownership from operationsM&ABackground
Caesars had considered selling the off-Strip property while preserving an operating relationship.
Action taken
Caesars sold the real estate to Dreamscape for $516 million and retained casino operations under a lease.
Aftermath
Dreamscape assumed operations after the lease ended in October 2023.
Real-estate sale price. 516 million USD (2019)
2005
Make Rio the World Series of Poker host propertyStrategyBackground
The property needed durable event traffic and differentiation as newer Las Vegas resorts intensified competition.
Action taken
The World Series of Poker was moved to the Rio, where it remained through 2021.
Aftermath
The tournament became a major recurring association and traffic driver for the resort.
1999
Sell the Rio to Harrah’s EntertainmentM&ABackground
The resort had grown rapidly under Anthony Marnell, and Harrah’s viewed the property, including its surrounding development potential, as a strategic acquisition.
Action taken
Harrah’s completed the acquisition for $766 million.
Aftermath
The Rio became part of Harrah’s portfolio and later Caesars Entertainment, but received less strategic emphasis than the company’s Strip properties.
Acquisition price. 766 million USD (1999)
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