Matt Laughlin, Chief Operating Officer of The Riverside Casino and Grandson of Don Laughlin with his wife Brittany accept a certificate of Recognition from the Nevada Governor’s office at a ceremony officially celebrating August 2nd as ‘Don Laughlin Day’ after Nevada Governor Lombardo proclaimed the occasion last month. The Certificate was presented by the Lieutenant Governor’s Chief of staff Rudy Pamintuan along with Nevada Director of Small Business Advocacy Sarah Johnson at the ceremony hosted at the site of the Statue of Don Laughlin that greets the thousands of visitors entering Laughlin each year. Afterward, there was a cake and champagne reception hosted at The Riverside celebrating the day.
LAUGHLIN, Nev. – August 2 was the 58th anniversary of the now-famous Riverside Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Starting from humble beginnings, the Riverside Casino was the brainchild of Don Laughlin for whom the township of Laughlin is named. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo recognized August 2 as Don Laughlin Day.
Originally a hunting guide who rented out cabins for hunters along the Colorado River, Don Laughlin took those humble beginnings and built an empire which stands today as testament to what hard work, vision, and intellect can achieve.
An American Dream come true, Laughlin parlayed that into a small eight-room motel that boasted 12 slot machines, and two table games, which expanded over the years into the mega casino it is today with 1,350 hotel rooms, 1,000 slot machines, 23 table games, and a separate poker room, along with a 34-lane bowling alley, a six-screen movie theater (which was just remodeled during the pandemic), six restaurants, and a 660-seat concert showroom.
Laughlin moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the late 1950s and purchased his first casino, the “101 Club.” By 1964, Laughlin had sold the 101 Club, which later became The Opera House. That same year, Laughlin was flying his private plane over the California/Arizona/Nevada tri-state area near the Colorado River. Growth in the area, specifically in Bullhead City and Kingman in Arizona, and Needles in California, was spurred by the construction of nearby Davis Dam, completed in 1951. The area was also a major stop along Route 66. It was during that flight that Laughlin envisioned the potential of the area as a resort destination. Soon after, he purchased a shuttered, eight-room riverfront motel on 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) for US$250,000. Though the landowner had several offers, he decided to sell the property to Laughlin because of his previous casino background.
In less than two years the Riverside Resort was entertaining guests not only with gambling but with all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents. Play at the casino was on twelve slot machines and two live gaming tables. Accommodations at the Riverside were available in only four of the motel’s eight rooms; Laughlin’s family occupied the remaining four.
The Town of Laughlin is believed to have received its name when a U.S. Postal Service inspector asked Laughlin to give a name to the area post office in order to receive mail. Laughlin suggested the name “Riverside and Casino,” but the postal inspector in turn suggested “Laughlin” because of their common Irish heritage.
In 1972, the property, now known as the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino, underwent a major expansion with the addition of 48 new rooms. In 1975, 52 more rooms were added. Construction of a 14-story hotel/casino tower in 1983 added 253 rooms and in 1986, a second 14-floor tower added 307 more rooms and an automotive museum.
The largest expansion came in 1994 with the addition of 800 more rooms for a current total of 1405 rooms. A bowling center, one of only two in Laughlin, was constructed in 1999. Laughlin also helped finance the construction of a bridge over the Colorado River between the northern tip of Laughlin and the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport (on the Arizona side), connecting Nevada Hwy. 163 with Arizona Hwys. 95 and 68. He also helped to finance the expansion of the airport to enable it to accept full-sized commercial airliners.
Laughlin died in the town named after him on October 22, 2023, at the age of 92. He was cryopreserved by the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. Laughlin’s grandson Matt Laughlin took over operational control of the casino in 2020 as CEO after starting out as an administrative assistant in 2015. Of the Governors proclamation, Matt said ““My entire family and I are so grateful and proud to have my grandfather honored by Governor Lombardo, Lt. Governor Anthony and the entire state of Nevada,” Matt said. “Although my grandfather might not think he is deserving of a day dedicated to him, having a Don Laughlin Day on August 2nd, the day the Riverside Resort opened 58 years ago, is the greatest gift we could give him. Words cannot express how I truly feel. Thank you, everyone, for all your kind words and continued support.”
Laughlin gave to the tri-state community his entire life. He funded several projects, most notably the construction of the first Laughlin Bridge connecting Nevada to Arizona.
Today Don’s legacy lives on through his casino and his remaining family many of which reside in Laughlin including his son Ron Laughlin.
Kane Wickham
