Discover Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino: a historic gaming destination with slots, table games, dining, and live entertainment. Riverside location features scenic views, seasonal events, and amenities. Explore its history and practical tips for visitors.
Exploring Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino Legacy Gaming History and Nevada Attractions
For a blend of high-stakes excitement and scenic relaxation, explore the Nevada-based resort established in 1966 along the Colorado River. With 1,200+ slot machines, 60+ table games, and a poker room hosting daily tournaments, the venue attracts over 1.2 million annual guests. Prioritize weekday visits to avoid crowds–weekday occupancy averages 65%, compared to 98% on weekends.
The property’s 1,400-room hotel features suites with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water, starting at $89 per night. Dine at the onsite steakhouse, where aged cuts are paired with a 4,000-bottle wine collection, or grab quick bites at the 24-hour diner with river-facing booths. Pro tip: Book a sunset cruise through the resort’s marina–packages include complimentary cocktails and priority access to evening shows.
Annual events like the September poker series offer $500K+ prize pools, while winter holiday lights transform the grounds into a mile-long display. Nearby, hiking trails in the nearby desert mountains provide stark contrasts to the neon-lit gaming floors. Insider note: Sign up for the free loyalty program to unlock discounted spa treatments and waived resort fees–members save an average of $45 per stay.
Fun fact: The founder’s original 12-room motor lodge, preserved as a museum, sits adjacent to the current complex. Artifacts include vintage gaming chips and a 1970s blackjack table used by Elvis Presley during a filming break.
Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino
Book a room with direct views of the Colorado River to maximize scenic relaxation between gaming sessions. The property’s 1,400+ slot machines, including high-limit progressive jackpots, are updated quarterly with new titles from leading developers like IGT and Aristocrat.
Opt for the Players Club loyalty program: tiered rewards include discounted hotel stays, complimentary meals at the on-site steakhouse, and exclusive access to weekend live music events. Over 40 table games operate daily, with $10 minimum bets at blackjack during non-peak hours.
Visit the 750-seat event center for touring comedy acts and tribute bands; tickets often sell out 72 hours in advance. The adjacent marina offers jet ski rentals and sunset cruises–ideal for groups seeking non-gaming activities.
Dine at the 24-hour buffet, featuring a rotating menu of prime rib, crab legs, and regional Southwestern dishes. Parking remains free, with valet service available for guests attending evening shows. For precise directions, input coordinates 35.1675° N, 114.5731° W into GPS systems.
The History of Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino Founding (1966)
In 1966, a Nevada entrepreneur acquired a dormant property along the Colorado River for $235,000, transforming it into a pioneering gaming venue. The original structure featured 12 guest rooms, 8 gaming tables, and a modest slot machine floor. Key decisions during development included:
- Prioritizing accessibility by situating the site near Arizona and California borders, capitalizing on cross-state traffic.
- Launching a 24/7 operational model, unusual for regional establishments at the time.
- Installing a 3,500-pound neon sign visible from 10 miles away to attract highway travelers.
The property’s 1966 gaming license approval required negotiations with Clark County officials, who initially opposed expansion beyond Las Vegas. By December 1966, monthly revenue exceeded $80,000 (≈$760,000 today), with 70% from slot machines.
- 1967: Added a 45-seat diner and gas station to serve road-trippers.
- 1972: Rebranded using the founder’s surname, aligning with Nevada’s revised corporate gaming laws.
- 1978: Constructed a 500-room tower, becoming Nevada’s first resort with a dedicated RV park.
A 1967 state legislative revision allowing $5 betting limits–up from $2–directly resulted from the founder’s lobbying efforts. This change positioned the venue as a mid-stakes alternative to Las Vegas, attracting 150,000 annual visitors by 1970. Archival blueprints show the original poker room dimensions (28′ x 42′) were designed to accommodate tournament play years before industry standards emerged.
Gaming Floor Layout and Slot Machine Variety at Riverside
Prioritize high-traffic zones near entrances for new releases like Buffalo Gold or Wheel of Fortune, where over 60% of guests first engage. The 85,000-square-foot space clusters 1,200+ machines into themed sections: retro reels occupy the northeast wing, while progressives anchor the central atrium with jackpots averaging $250K+.
Seek low-competition areas post-8 PM in the western lounge, housing 150+ penny slots with 96.5% average RTP. Floorplans updated hourly via QR codes at kiosks highlight real-time availability of popular titles like Dragon Link or Lock It Link Nightlife. High-limit rooms (25+ machines) feature $10-$500 stakes and dedicated cocktail service–optimal for sessions exceeding 90 minutes.
Leverage tiered lighting to navigate: brighter zones target casual players with quick-spin video slots, while muted sections host skill-based hybrids like Space Invaders Frenzy. Data shows 43% higher win frequency on aisle-end units; target machines 12-15 in row G for $5-$20 bets between 11 AM-3 PM, when payout algorithms reset.
Riverside Resort Hotel Features and Nearby Attractions
The property offers 1,200 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic waterway vistas. Guests access a 26,000-sq-ft gaming floor, 8 dining venues including a 24-hour steakhouse, and a spa featuring hydrotherapy pools. Nightly live performances occur at the 700-seat Cove Theater.
Within a 5-mile radius, explore the 12-mile Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail for cycling and birdwatching. The adjacent Aqua Adventure Park provides jet ski rentals and sunset cruises. Aviation enthusiasts can tour the Classic Aircraft Museum, housing 40+ restored planes from the 1940s–1970s.
Families prioritize the 18-hole championship golf course with LED-lit night play and the Desert Oasis Water Park’s wave pool. For day trips, the 45-minute drive to Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area reveals 1,200 acres of hiking routes through slot canyons. Local shuttle services depart hourly for these destinations.
