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Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Officially Joins the Destination by Hyatt Brand and Completes Phase One of its $340 Million Transformation
The newly reimagined Rio Hotel & Casino has officially joined the Destination by Hyatt brand, following the completion of the resort’s first phase of its $340 million property-wide transformation. As part of the Destination by Hyatt brand and award-winning World of Hyatt loyalty program, Rio connects guests and members to both the people and place of Las Vegas – offering guests a sense of belonging and the immersive experiences they crave. Rio is owned and managed by Dreamscape Companies.
As the largest property within Hyatt’s global hotel portfolio, based on room count, and the first Destination by Hyatt hotel in Nevada, Rio strengthens World of Hyatt’s brand footprint in the one of the world’s most vibrant destinations for leisure, convention and group travel.
“We are proud to welcome the new Rio Hotel & Casino to our Destination by Hyatt brand portfolio, celebrating Hyatt’s commitment to delivering one-of-a-kind experiences in key markets that matter most to our World of Hyatt members and guests. Rio is an icon reborn, and its legacy and unique character live on. We are excited for our members and guests to discover the experiences that make Rio Las Vegas a standout destination for global travelers,” said Mike Waddell, SVP of Global Franchise Operations at Hyatt.
Phase one of Rio’s $340 million renovation included the full redesign and modernization of the all-suite resort’s 1500-room Ipanema Tower featuring a new look inspired by the vibrant spirit of Rio de Janeiro: bold, colorful, and unapologetically radiant. The hotel also recently unveiled six new and distinctly different culinary destinations within the new Canteen Food Hall, 220,000 square feet of newly renovated meetings and convention space, a revamped pool district with four vibrant pools catering to both adults and families, and more than 500 new slot machines and 30 table games on the resort’s casino floor. The renovation is part of a larger vision to create a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle experience at the intersection of affordability and indulgence.
Other highlights from the resort’s phase one renovation include the openings of: Lapa Lounge, a sophisticated and vibrant cocktail destination located in the heart of the resort and inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Lapa neighborhood, and Luckley Tavern & Grill, a “come as you are” casual dining destination serving an approachable all-American menu. In addition, famed lighting designers Chris Kuroda and Andrew Giffin have created a stunning, programmable light show for the resort’s exterior.
Phase two of the resort’s renovation will focus on completely redesigning and modernizing the Masquerade Tower guestrooms and public spaces, ensuring an elevated and cohesive guest experience across the entire property.
“Rio’s Destination by Hyatt brand affiliation marks an exciting new chapter for our resort through our progressive evolution. We’ve not only reenergized the resort’s design and experience, but we’ve proudly honored its legacy as a quintessential Las Vegas icon, providing World of Hyatt members and global travelers with even more ways to immerse themselves in our destination’s fun, energetic and eclectic atmosphere,” said Patrick Miller, President and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino.
Rio participates in World of Hyatt, allowing members to earn and redeem points for eligible stays and enjoy waived resort fees on Free Night Awards while elite members can enjoy their World of Hyatt benefits that can include room upgrades and more. Rio is currently participating in Hyatt’s cyber sale that offers World of Hyatt members up to 25% off their stay at Rio, along with over 800 hotels across the Americas. Members can book this offer on Hyatt channels now through December 9, 2024, for stays through April 20, 2025.
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SkillOnNet’s Spanish language brand launches in newly regulated Peruvian market
PlayUZU, the flagship Spanish-language brand from global entertainment powerhouse SkillOnNet, is now live in the newly regulated Peruvian market.
Peruvian players can now enjoy top quality, localized content at PlayUZU.pe, along with the brand’s famous guarantee of no wagering requirements – ever. PlayUZU is marketed as a “fair” online casino that offers players a better deal by refusing to add playthrough requirements to its bonuses.
The launch will be backed by a multimedia marketing campaign to highlight the core values of the PlayUZU brand: fun, transparency, simplicity and responsible gaming.
This will include a significant television advertising push, supported by an extensive digital marketing campaign via search-engine positioning, social networks and influencers. The campaign aims to enforce the brand’s positioning, which is all about providing an innovative and entertaining space where players can have fun whether they win or lose.
After first launching in Spain in 2020 where it has since become a household name, PlayUZU has been extending its footprint in the fast-growing Latin American market, having recently launched in Mexico and Buenos Aires City.
Peru’s new licensing regime came into effect in February 2024, and PlayUZU was among the first operators to receive the go-ahead from the country’s regulator. The platform boasts an unparalleled games portfolio with top titles from the biggest and best game studios in the world.
Helena Rico Head of Marketing Spain and LatAm at PlayUZU.pe said: “In an industry dominated by bonuses with complicated terms and conditions and deceptive small print, we think Peruvian players will enjoy PlayUZU’s unique proposition of a fair deal with no wagering requirements. We also believe that by providing players with a fun and localized gaming experience we can make PlayUZU a top brand in this exciting new market.”
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THE UNIT SIGNS WITH SPORTINGTECH’S BRAZIL BRANDS
The Unit, a leader in nearshore product development and marketing services for sports betting and iGaming, has entered a collaboration with leading sports betting and iGaming provider Sportingtech.
Sportingtech is a renowned provider of turnkey betting and gaming solutions designed for regulated and emerging markets around the globe. Sportingtech’s iGaming platform offers everything covering sportsbook and casino via a modular system and intuitive back office for a fully omni-channel solution.
The Unit will develop apps for Sportingtech’s brands in Brazil, with The Unit bringing its expertise in creating native iOS and Android applications tailored to the specific needs of clients. This partnership has already included a successful redesign of Sportingtech’s sportsbook, with The Unit utilising its ability to design and develop robust, scalable platforms which deliver a seamless user experience.
Paddy Casey, Co-founder at The Unit, said: “Sportingtech is one of the leading suppliers in the sports betting and iGaming industries, and we are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership.
“We are pleased to bring our extensive knowledge and expertise to ensure Sportingtech’s brands operate with the strongest possible mobile app.
“This follows the launch of Sportingtech’s redesigned sportsbook, where our team were able to provide our bespoke software development services to address unique business requirements and challenges.
“We very much look forward to working with Sportingtech and making the most of the synergies this partnership will present.”
Tommy Molloy, Chief Product Officer from Sportingtech, said: “Partnering with The Unit reflects our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that empower operators to stand out in competitive markets like Brazil. The Unit’s expertise as a trusted developer ensures our partners can achieve peak performance and provide unparalleled user experiences.
“Following the successful launch of our newly redesigned sportsbook, this collaboration reinforces our focus on continuous improvement and flexibility, enabling us to offer an industry-leading turnkey platform that sets new standards in customisation and growth.”
With offices in Ireland and Moldova, and a newly-formed USA division opening in New York in January 2025, The Unit has an unwavering commitment to becoming the partner of choice throughout the industry. In addition to its broad-ranging marketing services, the team has solidified its strong track record of building world-class, scalable and efficient products for the sports betting and iGaming sector in recent years.
As The Unit embarks on this period of growth, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional products and services to its clients. With its experienced team, best-in-class product development capabilities, and focus on innovation, The Unit is poised to shape the future of the sports betting and iGaming industries.
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Kambi Group plc signs on-property sportsbook agreement with Wind Creek Hospitality in Illinois
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has agreed a multi-year sportsbook agreement with Wind Creek Hospitality, an entity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, to power the operator’s new on-property sportsbook in Chicago Southland, Illinois.
This agreement will see Kambi provide its premium Turnkey Sportsbook solution to the operator’s Wind Creek Chicago Southland resort, including its state-of-the-art betting kiosks, Bring Your Own Device technology and award-winning Bet Builder.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland is a new gaming and entertainment destination which opened on 11 November 2024 in the Chicago region with a 70,000 square foot gaming floor featuring 1,400 slot machines and 56 table games.
The new on-property sportsbook will integrate seamlessly with Wind Creek’s state-of-the-art casino facilities, creating an immersive sports betting experience for customers. The partnership also includes provisions to explore potential online expansion.
The agreement with Wind Creek Hospitality underscores Kambi’s position as the B2B sportsbook provider of choice for tribal operators across North America, with a proud record of partnering with tribes in launching sports betting to support their communities.
Werner Becher, Kambi Group CEO, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Wind Creek Hospitality to bring our industry-leading sportsbook technology to Wind Creek Chicago Southland. This deal not only showcases the trust tribal operators place in Kambi but also our continued commitment to delivering superior sports betting experiences. We look forward to collaborating closely with Wind Creek to offer an exciting sportsbook at their new venture in Chicago.”
Brent Pinkston, Chief Operating Officer, Wind Creek Hospitality, said: “With the opening of our new Wind Creek Chicago Southland property, it was essential we partnered with a leader in B2B sports betting provision such as Kambi. We are committed to delivering world-class entertainment solutions to our guests and Kambi’s proven track record and innovative technology will help us to deliver a best-in-class sportsbook product.”
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