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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.
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
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