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LAS VEGAS (Gambling911.com) - The Oyo Casino in Las Vegas has stopped selling alcohol AGAIN.....and it is unclear as to why.
Scott Roeben was the first to report on the casino suspending alcohol sales.
"A casino without liquor is like a vegetarian steakhouse. You can still go there, but why would anyone do that?," he quipped.
Rueben reports that Oyo has made no official statements about the liquor kerfuffle," but when we stopped in, a representative at the resort attributed the situation to an “insurance lapse.” Another source told us the problem involves taxes. We’ve also heard the issue is related to licensing".
They stopped serving alcohol in October of last year after the hotel operator, Highgate, was shown the door for its apparent poor handling of a cybersecurity incident.
Catfishing
Some OYO properties in the US make the Vegas hotel casino look like the Four Seasons.
OYO’s rapid expansion and asset-light business model have historically made consistent quality control across its properties a challenge. Rather than owning the hotels that carry its name, OYO typically partners with independently owned budget properties, providing its branding, reservation technology, pricing tools and marketing support.
While this approach allowed the company to expand quickly, it also raised questions about oversight and property standards. In recent years, several hotels operating under the OYO brand have reportedly deteriorated to the point of being condemned.
But last year's "catfishing" controversy took things to a whole other level.
Catfishing is the act of creating a fake online identity or social media profile to trick someone. People who do this often use stolen photos and false personal details. When companies engage in the practice, it's often referred to as "corporate catfishing".
OYO has warned customers about individuals impersonating OYO employees or property managers, fake customer-service accounts, fake payment requests and phishing. Importantly, OYO says these people are not connected with OYO. But OYO itself was reportedly pushing a non-existing property called the Palette Las Vegas.
Ironically, traveler Ariana Patiño said she booked the Palette Las Vegas to avoid staying at the OYO.
From Networkin Las Vegas:
Palette Las Vegas has been listed at 117 East Tropicana Avenue, the same address as OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, the former Hooters Casino Hotel and, before that, the San Remo. As of August 13, Palette listings could be found on major travel sites including Booking.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and Trip.com. OYO’s own website was also actively selling rooms under the Palette Las Vegas name.
According to her account, when she questioned hotel staff about the missing Palette hotel, she was told Palette didn’t actually exist and that the listing had been put up to see which advertisement would get more traction.
The Palette listings used altered images that appeared to present the existing property as something different. Vital Vegas reports that AI was used to manipulate the images.
It’s certainly nothing new for hotels to exaggerate their offerings — and we’re being generous with the word “exaggerate.” Even the most run-down motels on the internet can put together a decent presentation, carefully showcasing their best features while conveniently leaving out the rest.
After all, sleazy Motel X isn’t exactly going to advertise: “Roach-infested rooms, broken microwaves, moldy showers and no air conditioning.”
The Palette Hotel scheme was something beyond this.
OYO isn’t exactly hiding the corporate connection now, either. The company’s own reservation website has a live page titled “Palette Las Vegas” at 117 East Tropicana Avenue. The listing promises “contemporary comfort,” “thoughtfully designed rooms,” Strip views, outdoor pools and an “elevated experience.” Oddly enough, the description itself switches the address to 115 E. Tropicana in several places even though the listing header says 117 E. Tropicana.
Booking.com and Expedia were reportedly investigating the listings.
Worst Rated OYOs
1. OYO Hotel Houston Katy Freeway - A hotel-rating aggregator lists 632 reviews and a 1.9-star average. TripAdvisor reviews from 2026 allege filthy rooms, misleading photographs, drug activity and serious safety concerns. These are guest allegations, not independently established findings.
2. Former OYO Hotel — Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Local television station WBRZ documented a severely deteriorated, abandoned OYO-branded property with broken windows, damaged rooms and discarded furniture. Remarkably, a customer reported booking a room despite the property being closed and then struggling to obtain a refund.
3. Former OYO Hotel — Bradford, Pennsylvania - City officials formally condemned the hotel at 153 Main Street in November 2023, citing licensing problems and multiple outstanding code violations. The building was declared unlawful for occupancy.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
