Posted: October 22, 2023, 06:55h.
Last Updated: October 22, 2023, 06:55h.
Don Laughlin, the iconic owner of the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino and the namesake of Laughlin, Nevada, has passed away at the age of 92. According to an announcement made on the resort’s Facebook page, Laughlin peacefully passed away while surrounded by his loved ones.
“Don Laughlin made a significant impact on our local community and gained nationwide recognition. We understand that this news will deeply affect many people, especially the Riverside Resort family. Don Laughlin was an extraordinary individual to work with and learn from,” the announcement expressed.
Small Town, Big Dreams
Born on May 4, 1931, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Don Laughlin started his career by installing grey-market slot machines in hunting lodges, earning him $500 per week as a side venture.
During his high school years, Laughlin faced a crucial decision after his principal gave him an ultimatum: abandon the illegal slot machine business or leave school.
Without a doubt, Laughlin chose the former.
In 1952, Laughlin moved to Las Vegas, where he purchased his first casino two years later, known as the 101 Club in North Las Vegas.
However, Laughlin’s Vegas journey took a turn after a fateful flight in his private aircraft. The trip revealed a hidden gem approximately 100 miles south of Vegas on the Colorado River, where Nevada, California, and Arizona converge.
Vegas 2.0
By 1964, Laughlin bid farewell to Vegas and acquired the southern tip of Nevada. The region, originally called South Pointe, became Laughlin’s vision of “Vegas 2.0.”
The purchased land included a deserted eight-room motel and bar spanning 6.5 acres along the riverside. In 1966, Laughlin reopened the site after transforming it into a casino offering 12 slots, two table games, and all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents.
Over time, this establishment developed into the Riverside Resort, which Laughlin owned and operated until his passing. Additionally, the surrounding area of South Pointe became Laughlin, Nevada, an unincorporated town in Clark County. Interestingly, Laughlin claimed he never intended for it to be named after him. He preferred the names Riverside or even Casino, Nevada. However, the post office labeled it “Laughlin substation,” and the name stuck.
With the opening of the Bobcat Club in 1967 and the subsequent Monte Carlo in 1968, the riverside location attracted curious visitors from Bullhead City, Arizona, as boats transported them across the Colorado River. This marked the realization of Laughlin’s Vegas 2.0.
Today, Laughlin, Nevada, is home to eight casino resorts and the Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport.
In a tweet, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo referred to Laughlin as an exceptional Nevadan who will always be remembered for his pioneering spirit, ingenuity, and lasting impact.
Don Laughlin was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Laughlin, whom he married in 1953. Betty passed away in January 2022 at the age of 89. Details regarding memorial services will be announced shortly.