The Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas has confirmed this week it will be laying off a significant, but as yet undetermined number of casino and resort employees.
The resort has recently undergone a huge renovation project after operator Dreamscape took over from Caesars Entertainment in 2023.
The New York-based company did not confirm exactly how many employees will be laid off. It did say that some figures touted in social media posts were inaccurate.
Rio, opened in 1990, recently underwent a $350 million refurb, including renovating its entire Ipanema tower. It also upgraded the outside of its main Masquerade tower, which was previously looking considerably less striking than it had been 30 years ago.
“We proactively expanded our workforce while taking over operations from Caesars Entertainment in 2023,” said a statement from Dreamscape.
“As the resort undergoes extensive construction and remodeling, we now have a better understanding of the staffing levels Rio Las Vegas needs to provide guest service and operational efficiency. We deeply appreciate the unwavering commitment and diligence of all our team members and extend our heartfelt gratitude to those directly affected by the adjustments.”
The Layoffs
Rio has a 44,000-square-foot casino and 424 guest suites. It currently employs some 400 people. That includes 100 who were only hired in November to staff its new Canteen Food Hall, which replaced the once very popular Rio Carnival World Buffet.
How many staff will be laid off is unclear, but it will be a significant number. The company has already cut its management team by some 30 members over the past year.
Dreamscape has been forced to make cost-cutting measures in recent times, as it spends $300 million on renovation. It will be hoping to fix the public perception issues that a lack of investment for more than a decade can do.
The Resort’s History
Rio opened in 1990. It struggled in its first few years, as it’s not exactly in a prime location off the Las Vegas Strip, which put off some customers. But its striking theme and design eventually helped it work its way up to being a profitable casino hotel.
However, after Harrah’s Entertainment purchased the resort, it is generally accepted that it went downhill, as the new operator focused on its other Las Vegas casinos and left the Rio to fall into some disrepair.
The venue hosted the World Series of Poker for nearly 20 years before Caesars sold the property to Dreamscape in 2019. By the end, WSOP players were beginning to complain about the state of the property.
That was exacerbated when Dreamscape bought the resort in 2019, only for the pandemic to put a hold on the deal. Caesars retained ownership, but was not interested in putting any more money into it until the deal with Dreamscape went through.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
