Rio Hotel Opens New Dragon Lair Gaming Room

The Las Vegas resort converted its former poker room into a dedicated space for popular Aristocrat Gaming titles.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Casino

Rio Hotel Opens New Dragon Lair Gaming Room

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Rio Hotel & Casino has officially opened Dragon Lair, a themed gaming area in Las Vegas. The new room occupies the space formerly used for poker games.

Why it matters

The project serves to provide a fresh experience for casino guests while catering specifically to players loyal to the popular game families provided by Aristocrat Gaming.

The new space consolidates Aristocrat Gaming titles into a single destination, featuring both the Dragon Link and Phoenix Link game families.

The players

Rio Hotel & Casino

This major Las Vegas resort property recently underwent management changes to refresh its gaming offerings.

Aristocrat Gaming

This global manufacturer produces popular slot machine games found in casinos worldwide, including the Dragon Link series.

Rod Turlan

He currently serves as the president and general manager of the Rio Hotel & Casino.

The details

Dragon Lair transforms the resort's former poker room into a specialized gaming environment. This area serves as a focused hub for enthusiasts of the specific slot game series.

April 2026: Rod Turlan was appointed as the president and general manager of the Rio.
October 20, 2026: The Rio Hotel & Casino officially opened the Dragon Lair gaming room.

Industry Dynamics

The introduction of dedicated gaming spaces reflects a wider push by Las Vegas resorts to consolidate popular titles into high-engagement areas. This strategy prioritizes player loyalty by streamlining the gaming experience around the most successful software franchises.

Casino visitors can now access the Dragon Link and Phoenix Link games in one centralized location rather than searching the main floor. The new room is located in the area previously used by the resort's poker room.

The takeaway

The conversion of the poker room highlights how resorts are repurposing legacy floor space to emphasize high-performing slot brands. Regular visitors should check the central floor map to locate the new room's entrance near the former poker facilities.