Ownership of The Pass Casino in Henderson, Nevada, is set to change hands, as a deal will bring all three casinos located in the historic Water Street District under the management of ECL Water Street.
The operator of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club casinos, ECL Water Street, has reached an agreement to acquire The Pass from DeSimone Gaming, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The financial specifics of the transaction have not been revealed, and the sale is projected to finalize on August 1, 2026, pending approval from gaming authorities.
This acquisition will signify the fifth transition of ownership for the well-established Henderson venue, which originally opened its doors on February 15, 1961, under the name Wheel Casino. The initial ownership details are not available through the Clark County Assessor’s Office. The casino ceased operations within a year due to financial difficulties.
The venue encompasses 17,756 square feet, featuring 350 slot machines, six table games, and a sportsbook run by Circa Sports. ECL has expressed intentions to refurbish the casino and incorporate additional amenities following the completion of the acquisition.
“ECL Gaming has shown a steadfast dedication to the local community, and I am confident that they will persist in cultivating the success of The Pass moving forward,” remarked DeSimone to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
DeSimone has held ownership of the historic Railroad Pass Casino, situated between Henderson and Boulder City, since 2015. In December 2020, he purchased the former Eldorado Casino from Boyd Gaming, carried out renovations, and reopened it under the name The Pass on April 1, 2021.
The site has a rich history linked to Boyd Gaming. In 1962, after the closure of the Wheel Casino, local entrepreneur Paul Perry negotiated to acquire the deserted property. His legal representative, Bill Boyd, joined the endeavor as an investor, collaborating with an investment group that encompassed his father, Sam Boyd, along with Joe Crowley, Bill Boyd’s aunt, and law associate Jim Brennan.
The group reintroduced the casino on July 1, 1962, renaming it the Eldorado Casino. This marked the inaugural venture for what would eventually evolve into the Boyd Gaming organization. The Boyd family fully acquired ownership in 1966, and in 1993, the casino was officially integrated into Boyd Gaming’s corporate structure. Sam Boyd and Bill Boyd were co-founders of Boyd Gaming in 1975.
Tim Brooks, the general manager of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club, informed the Las Vegas Review-Journal that The Pass stands as “a vital pillar of our community,” emphasizing that ECL aims to build upon the legacy developed by DeSimone.