DONALD J LAUGHLIN

1931 - 2023

Donald J. Laughlin, an American pioneer who transformed a boarded-up eight-room motel in an undeveloped town into a successful casino resort oasis named for him, died Sunday morning, October 22, 2023, of natural causes surrounded by his immediate and extended family. He was 92 years old and lived his latter 57 years in Laughlin, NV.
Born on a dairy farm in Owatonna, Minnesota on May 4, 1931, to Raymond Laughlin and Olive Benalleck, Don became an entrepreneur at a very young age. Having watched his mother play slot machines at a local pub growing up, Don saved money he earned from trapping mink and muskrat to purchase his own slot machines from a mail order catalog. Soon, the young businessman was making $500 per week installing those slot machines in pubs and hunting lodges, when his school principal gave him that famous ultimatum: get out of the slot business or get out of school. Don Laughlin left school to pursue a passion.
Laughlin married his wife Betty Jones in 1953, and they moved west to Las Vegas with their infant son pulling a travel trailer. Don worked as a bartender by day and attended card and dice dealer school at night. By 1954, Laughlin saved enough money to purchase his own business, the 101 Club in North Las Vegas. Ten years later, they sold the casino for $165,000 to pursue a new adventure.
Laughlin loved ballroom dancing, horseback riding and classic cars. Another one of Don's greatest passions was aviation. In his private plane, Laughlin would scout the Nevadan Mojave Desert along the Colorado River when he came across a vision: a stretch of land called Tri-State, or sometimes referred to as South Pointe. The area was vacant except for a boarded up eight-room motel and bar. Laughlin purchased the motel and six acres of riverfront property for $235,000, and the rest would be known as history. The Riverside Resort opened in 1966, with 12 slot machines, two table games and "all-you-can-eat" chicken dinners for 98 cents. Today, the Riverside Resort hosts 1350 hotel rooms, 1000 slot machines, 23 table games, a poker room, a bingo hall, a 34-lane bowling center, 6-Plex Movie Theater, six restaurants, an indoor 660 seat showroom, two classic car museums, one nightclub, one karaoke dance hall, U.S.S. Riverside Boat Cruise and over 1300 employees; some who have worked for Don for over 40 years.
Don Laughlin was a hard-working success story, but he also believed in supporting his local community with generous contributions and loved watching his neighbors grow. Don completely funded the construction of the Laughlin Bridge connecting Nevada to Arizona, a savior for all local residents. Don donated land plus funded the planning and flood control for the Laughlin Bullhead International Airport; thus starting an Air Program service for his Mid-West community and stretching service to other parts of the nation. Don completely funded and maintains Fisherman's Access State Park and boat launch ramp, making sure it remains open to the public with zero fees to the public. Understanding the importance of tourism, Don donated the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce building and actively donates more than $100,000 per year to hundreds of non-profit and charitable organizations. He believed a little can go a long way for many people.
Today, Laughlin, Nevada contains eight casino resorts. Don Laughlin's impact in his corner of the nation will be felt by hundreds of thousands for many more decades to come. May he rest in peace knowing he will never be forgotten.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, on January 29, 2022. She was 89 years old.
Don Laughlin is survived by one sister; three children; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Prayer Services will be held in Don's Celebrity Theatre at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino on Friday, November 10th at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, it is asked donations be made to the Colorado River Food Bank in Laughlin's name.
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