Don Laughlin, a prominent figure in southern Nevada known for his role in transforming a barren area into a bustling tourist destination, has passed away at the age of 92. Laughlin breathed his last on Sunday at his penthouse residence in the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino, located in the town that bears his name.
Diana Fuchs, the resort’s marketing director, confirmed that Laughlin succumbed to natural causes. In his final days, family and close relatives remained by his side, and Fuchs noted that Laughlin maintained his characteristic sense of humor, even in those moments.
Don Laughlin played a pivotal role in the development of an area located 100 miles south of Las Vegas, which was once little more than dirt roads and weeds. Reflecting on the early days in 2016 during the resort’s 50th-anniversary celebration, Laughlin remarked on the challenges of accessing the region, recalling how it required navigating through a dirt road or, if it rained, becoming entirely inaccessible.
Situated along the Nevada-Arizona border on the lower Colorado River, Laughlin is now home to eight casino resorts, drawing nearly 2 million visitors annually.
Born in Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1931, Laughlin showed early signs of his future endeavors, even as a teenager, by managing gambling operations. He used earnings from mink trapping to invest in and install slot machines at local pubs.
His unconventional career path led to a pivotal moment in ninth grade when his school principal presented him with a choice: stay in school or continue in the slot machine business, where Laughlin was already making three times the principal’s salary. He chose the latter path.
In 1964, Laughlin sold a gambling business he had acquired in North Las Vegas for $165,000. Subsequently, he ventured to the Mojave Desert and acquired a boarded-up motel and 6 acres of riverfront land, leading to the establishment of the Riverside Resort in 1966.
Two years later, the area officially adopted the name Laughlin, a suggestion made by a U.S. Postal Service inspector who needed a name for mail delivery.
Laughlin’s influence extended beyond the resort. In 1986, he financed the construction of the Laughlin Bridge, connecting Nevada and Arizona. In 1991, he donated land and funds for the Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport, demonstrating his commitment to the region and its residents.
Throughout his life, Laughlin remained an admired figure, often personally greeting staff and guests during his walks through the hotel and casino.
Surviving Laughlin are one sister, three children, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. His wife, Betty, passed away in January 2022 at the age of 89.
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