The Rio has re-rolled out the red carpet for low-rollers. It now features $3 craps, the cheapest in a market where table game minimums have steadily climbed since the pandemic. This move, launched on October 2, is the latest throwback to decent prices in a Vegas-wide effort to reverse declining visitation and a nationwide reputation for overpriced gambling.
Rio’s $3 craps tables are available daily from 8 a.m. until around 3 p.m., though exact times can vary based on demand. During peak periods, minimums rise to the industry-standard $10-$15.
The last Las Vegas casino to offer $3 craps was Club Fortune Casino in Henderson, during a daily happy hour (4–5 p.m.) that ran until it shuttered its table games in 2022. Club Fortune had previously offered $1 craps until 2018, a feature also seen at Lucky Club in North Las Vegas (now Ojos Locos) before it ceased table games around the same time.
Until the Rio’s $3 craps, the cheapest option to enter the game in Vegas were the $5 minimums currently found at Palms, Oyo and Jerry’s Nugget, according to Vegas Advantage.
Other Bargain Bets
Over the past year, the Rio — under Dreamscape Companies’ ownership since 2019 — has introduced several other player-friendly changes. According to Vegas Advantage, its video poker machines offer some of the best payback percentages in the region, even at bar tops,
Popular games like Jacks or Better, Bonus Deuces Wild, and Double Aces and Faces boast return-to-player (RTP) rates near 99% for skilled players, with some machines offering progressive jackpots on royal flushes to offset slightly lower payouts on certain bets.
Additionally, the Rio is reportedly planning to introduce $3 live dealer stadium baccarat. While no official timeline has been confirmed, both Vegas Advantage and Vital Vegas estimate a launch in late 2025 or early 2026, pending regulatory approvals and operational setup.
Las Vegas has faced criticism for “nickel-and-diming” customers, with rising table minimums, resort fees and parking charges all blamed by national media stories for a 3.4% drop in visitation from 2022 to 2024 — though experts also blame weaker consumer confidence, job market instability, trade tensions, and boycotts over current US policies.
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