Don Laughlin was a developer, casino operator, and hotelier who built the Nevada resort town of Laughlin, named after himself and now the third largest casino destination in the state.
- Died: October 22, 2023 (Who else died on October 22?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 92.
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Don Laughlin’s legacy
Growing up in Owatonna, Minnesota, Laughlin worked as a fur trapper while in high school. He used the proceeds to buy slot machines, which he installed in hunting lodges. The venture proved successful enough for him to drop out of school. Laughlin soon moved to Las Vegas and purchased the 101 Club casino. After selling the casino, he spotted a stretch of land while flying over the Nevada desert in which he envisioned building a resort in 1964. He purchased a ramshackle motel on the otherwise desolate property, and Laughlin, Nevada, was born.
Laughlin’s casino began small, offering a few games and four guest rooms, but he expanded throughout the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. The casino was also fortuitously located by a major stop along Route 66. Two new 14-story hotels added hundreds of rooms, and more hotel expansions followed. He butted heads with state officials in order to construct a bridge over the Colorado River to give people easier access to the growing town. He also financed the construction of the nearby Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport.
Today the town’s population is less than 9,000, but as of 2019, it draws close to 2 million visitors a year. It is the third most visited casino destination in the state and one of the nation’s major RV destinations.
In his later years, Laughlin spent time on his ranch, flew his personal helicopter, and walked the casino floor. He also visited his hometown in Minnesota, often for the Steele County Free Fair.
Tributes to Don Laughlin
Full obituary: Mohave Valley Daily News
