Is Don Laughlin Still Alive? How Old is He? Check Here
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 08, 2023
Who is Don Laughlin?
Donald Joseph Laughlin, born on May 4, 1931, is a prominent American entrepreneur, rancher, and hotelier, who is renowned for his contributions to the gambling industry. He hails from Owatonna, Minnesota, where he spent his winters as a fur trapper during his youth. Using the profits he made from his fur trapping business, he bought slot machines for installation in hunting lodges. At the young age of 18, Laughlin was earning $500 per week from his side business when his school principal gave him an ultimatum to either quit slots or quit school. Since Laughlin was making more than three times what his principal was making, he decided to drop out of school.
In the late 1950s, Laughlin moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and acquired his first casino, the "101 Club." After selling the 101 Club in 1964, Laughlin flew his private plane over the tri-state area of California, Arizona, and Nevada, where he envisioned the potential of the Colorado River region as a resort destination. He purchased a riverfront motel with eight rooms on 6.5 acres for US$250,000, which he expanded into the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino.
The Riverside Resort entertained its guests with gambling and all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents. Initially, the casino had twelve slot machines and two live gaming tables, while only four of the motel's eight rooms were available for accommodations. Laughlin's family occupied the remaining four rooms.
In 1972, the Riverside Resort underwent a major expansion with the addition of 48 new rooms, and in 1975, 52 more rooms were added. Laughlin financed the construction of a bridge over the Colorado River, connecting Nevada Highway 163 with Arizona Highways 95 & 68, and helped to expand the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport to enable it to accept full-sized commercial airliners. With the addition of a 14-story hotel/casino tower in 1983 and a second 14-floor tower in 1986, the Riverside Resort now has a total of 1405 rooms. Additionally, a bowling center, one of only two in Laughlin, was constructed in 1999.
Laughlin's extensive collection of automobiles, including a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro nicknamed "Big Red," has been turned into an automotive museum with free admission to the public. The Riverside collection is an offshoot of the famous Harrah's collection. Laughlin spends his time shuttling between his penthouse suite atop the Riverside and his cattle ranch in nearby Kingman in his private helicopter.
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 suggested "Laughlin" because of their common Irish heritage.
Laughlin is not known to have won any awards or titles. However, his life's work and accomplishments speak for themselves. He has made significant contributions to the gambling industry and transformed a small riverfront motel into a thriving resort destination. His inspiring story serves as a role model for young entrepreneurs who aspire to make their mark in the business world through sheer dedication and hard work.
Is Don Laughlin Still Alive?
Yes, Don Laughlin is still alive as of May 2023. He celebrated his 92nd birthday on May 4th, indicating that he is still alive but may be in his advanced years. When this person, Laughlin, moved to Las Vegas in the 1950s, he initially worked in a few casinos.
However, his entrepreneurial spirit, which began when he was a teenager supplying slot machines to hunting lodges, eventually led him to buy a beer-and-wine bar on W. Bonanza Road. Although Las Vegas was strictly segregated at the time, this bar was located on an "open" street, allowing black and white patrons to mix freely. Laughlin sold this establishment for $10,000, which he used to buy the 101 Club, located on the Salt Lake Highway in North Las Vegas.
Thanks to a query to a local expert at VintageLasVegas.com, it was discovered that the 101 Club was located at 2551 N. Main Street in 1955. The following year, Laughlin bought land across the street and opened a new 101 Club with a gaming license and the only blackjack table in the area, as well as a popular restaurant and ample parking. Business boomed overnight, and four years later, Laughlin sold the 101 for $165,000. It eventually became the Opera House Casino, which was demolished in the 2010s.
Laughlin used the proceeds from the sale to purchase a motel and bait shack across the Colorado River from Bullhead City, Arizona. The rest of his story is well-known and can be read in a previous article about him. Interestingly, VintageLasVegas recently shared a photo revealing some little-known information about the original Vegas Vickie, who was an actual person.
Don Laughlin Wife
People and his fans wanted to know more about Don Laughlin's wife. They were searching for, Who is Don Laughlin's Wife? There is no clear information about his wife, Don Laughlin The town of Laughlin, Nevada, is named after an American entrepreneur who is involved in gambling, hospitality, and ranching, according to a cited source.
Originally from Owatonna, Minnesota, Laughlin made his money as a fur trapper in his youth and used his profits to buy slot machines for hunting lodges. He was making a significant amount of money from his enterprise, earning around $500 per week, which led his school principal to give him an ultimatum - quit the slot machine business or leave school. Laughlin chose to leave school, as his business was earning him more money than his education.
In the late 1950s, Laughlin moved to Las Vegas and acquired his first casino, called the "101 Club." However, he sold the club in 1964. During that same year, he was flying over the tri-state area of California, Arizona, and Nevada, near the Colorado River.
The region was growing due to the construction of Davis Dam in 1951, and the area was a major stop along Route 66. Laughlin recognized the potential of the area as a resort destination and bought a shuttered motel on 6.5 acres of riverfront property for $250,000. The property owner had multiple offers, but he chose to sell it to Laughlin because of his previous experience in the casino industry.
Don Laughlin Daughter
Don Laughlin, an American gambling entrepreneur, hotelier, and rancher, had three children - Dan Laughlin, Ron Laughlin, and Erin Laughlin. After moving to Las Vegas in the late 1950s, Don bought his first casino, the "101 Club," and sold it in 1964 after acquiring considerable wealth. He flew across the tri-state area of California, Arizona, and Nevada and noticed the growth in the regions of Bullhead City and Kingman in Arizona and Needles in California, which were spurred by the construction of the Davis Dam in 1951.
Don seized this opportunity and purchased an eight-room shuttered motel on 6.5 acres of land for $250,000. The motel was situated in a location that was also a stop on the Route 66 freeway, making it an ideal spot for a resort. Despite having several offers, the landowner sold the property to Don because of his background in the casino business. The Riverside Resort and Casino was established, which initially had only twelve slot machines and two live gambling tables. Only four rooms were available since the rest were occupied by Don's family.
Within two years of opening, the resort began welcoming guests who came looking for gambling opportunities as well as travelers. The resort underwent major expansions in 1972, adding 48 new rooms, and again in 1975, adding 52 new rooms, a fourteen-story tower with 307 rooms, and an automotive museum. In 1994, the resort underwent further expansion, and currently, it has 1405 rooms, with a bowling center recently added to its facilities.
Apart from his contributions to the resort industry, Don also played a significant role in financing the construction of the bridge at the northern tip of Laughlin over the Colorado River and the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport.
How Old is Don Laughlin?
Age is just an attribute that is used to describe humans. Regarding social media, people are eager to know the age of people they are more fond of. Donald Joseph Laughlin was born on May 4, 1931, in Owatonna, Minnesota, U.S. As of 2023, he is 92 years old.
Although Don Laughlin doesn't hold any notable awards or titles, his achievements and contributions speak for themselves. Building a successful business takes immense dedication and effort, and Don's work is a testament to this. He is best known as a gambling entrepreneur and hotelier from Nevada. Originally from Owatonna, Don worked as a fur trapper during winters as a young man and used the profits to buy slot machines for installation in hunting lodges. This business venture earned him $500 a week, which raised some eyebrows among those around him.
His school principal gave him an ultimatum to give up school or his slot machine business. Don, realizing that he was already making three times what his principal was earning, decided to drop out of school. This decision eventually led him to move to Las Vegas in the late 1950s and purchase his first casino, the "101 Club".
After selling the 101 Club in 1964, he began flying his private plane over the tri-state area of California, Arizona, and Nevada, where he saw the potential for a resort destination due to the growth spurred by the nearby Davis Dam's construction and Route 66's popularity.
Don Laughlin Net Worth
The success of a person can be determined only through their net worth. Net worth is one of the things which people want to know more about their favorite stars or celebrities. As of 2023, Don Laughlin's net worth is estimated to be $1 billion, although his exact salary is unknown.
Despite his substantial wealth, Don has maintained various other sources of income. He is viewed as a role model by many aspiring entrepreneurs who are eager to succeed in the world of business. Don's success is particularly inspiring because it demonstrates that success is determined by an individual's efforts rather than inherited through family connections or other external factors.
Is Don Laughlin Still Alive - FAQs
Donald Joseph Laughlin is an American gambling entrepreneur, hotelier, and rancher who is known for founding the town of Laughlin, Nevada.
Donald Joseph Laughlin worked as a fur trapper during his youth in Owatonna, Minnesota, during the winters.
Donald Joseph Laughlin used the profits he earned from his side business of buying and installing slot machines in hunting lodges to purchase his first casino, the "101 Club" in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While flying his private plane over the California/Arizona/Nevada tri-state area near the Colorado River in 1964, Donald Joseph Laughlin envisioned the potential of the area as a resort destination.