During the final table of the 2021 WSOP Main Event in mid-November, the World Series of Poker officially confirmed that 2021 be the last at the Rio Casino and All Suites Hotel. The new location will be at Bally's Las Vegas and the nearby Paris, marking the first time the World Series of Poker will be held on the strip.
The Rio has been the site of the WSOP since 2005, when it moved from Binions after it outgrew the downtown location due to the onset of the Moneymaker poker boom.
Good news for players playing the 2022 WSOP — plans are for series to be held during the traditional window in the late spring and early summer. Barring any unforeseen issues — such as uncontrolled COVID situation — the 2022 WSOP will be held from May 31st to July 19th, 2022.
Bally's Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas will be the site of the 2022 WSOP. The two properties are connected by a walkway with each housing huge convention spaces. The Rio featured about 95,000 square feet of usable space while Bally's has 80,000 feet of space that could be used for the WSOP with another 85,000 from the Paris Expo Hall.
Bally's and Paris are located just off the legendary Las Vegas strip, across the Bellagio, which will provide a central location for players right in the heart of the most luxurious part of Las Vegas. This will be in contrast to the Rio, which is on the west side of I-15.
The WSOP had moved to the Rio in 2005 for its spacious quarters and parking capacity, which has allowed the WSOP to expand where it is today. However, for years the Rio has been in a declining state, with players increasingly bemoaning the property's condition, amenities and pretty much everything in between.
A move had been discussed for years but accelerated after Caesars Entertainment sold the Rio to Dreamscape Companies, a New York City developer, in 2019. A lease agreement between WSOP owner Caesars Entertainment and Dreamscape had allowed the World Series of Poker to continue to be hosted at the Rio until 2023 at the latest.
Although the Rio could have technically hosted the WSOP until 2023, it was no secret that Caesars had been eyeing a new location. The Bally's and Paris rumor gained steam in an unlikely manner over the summer, when the VNEA World Championship seemed to let the location slip in a Facebook post.
Although rumors were that the Rio would be demolished, it looks like the new owner is choosing to rebrand and significantly renovate the hotel and casino. In March 2019, the company announced that they would partner with Hyatt Hotels Corp and will bring a Hyatt Regency hotel to the property and will bring “multiple” Hyatt full-service brands to Las Vegas.”
The announcement of the WSOP from the Rio to Bally's has been mostly positive and a welcome change, with some nostalgic for the only WSOP site they have ever known.
« Farewell Rio 2005-2021 » @RioVegas pic.twitter.com/8RQzHKQo0E
— WSOP (@WSOP) December 3, 2021
The Rio is obviously not a high-quality establishment. But I think it served the WSOP very well. Lot of parking, lot of space, cheap rooms. Props to the hotel/casino staff (overworked and underpaid) for putting up with poker players six weeks out of the year.
— Jeff Platt (@jeffplatt) November 24, 2021
Goodbye @WSOP at the rio pic.twitter.com/Ltu2V7Xiv1
— Taylor Howard (@TheRealTayHow) November 16, 2021
I guess Paris is ok but Bally’s is a dump just like Rio. Location is much better though. Bt what’s with the May 2022 start? 6 or so months in between Series?
— Rachel Lees Thinks ⭐️ (@racheleesthinks) November 17, 2021
If you've never used the Rio back hallways during the WSOP, did you even experience the WSOP?
— Remko Rinkema (@RemkoRinkema) November 21, 2021
Goodbye to #wsop at Rio. Since my first visit in 2009, I estimate I’ve spent 1.5-2 years of my life actually inside these walls.
It’s where I won my bracelet, lost my virginity, met my first wife, & met the woman I’d leave her for before meeting my second wife. So many memories. pic.twitter.com/2WRehWZpcx
— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) November 24, 2021
I guess Paris is ok but Bally’s is a dump just like Rio. Location is much better though. Bt what’s with the May 2022 start? 6 or so months in between Series?
— Rachel Lees Thinks ⭐️ (@racheleesthinks) November 17, 2021
Poker players talking about WSOP memories and how sad they are that it's moving from Rio to Bally's and Paris.
Let's just say if they live streamed a Rio demolition, I'd clear my schedule and pay to watch… Maybe even throw a party.
— Matthew Waxman (@Matthew_Waxman) November 18, 2021
(15/15) The Rio
Home to the #WSOP from 2005-2021, the Rio has certainly seen better days. Many lament the change to Bally’s/Paris, but we’ll all get to experience a new adventure together in 6 months. pic.twitter.com/YDvewTCfmk
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) November 24, 2021
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