The Pass Casino
Eldorado in 2017
Location Henderson, Nevada
Address 140 S Water Street
Opening dateFebruary 15, 1961; 63 years ago (February 15, 1961)
Total gaming space17,756 sq ft (1,649.6 m2)[1]
Notable restaurants
  • Ristorante Italiano
  • Emilia's Cafe
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerDeSimone Gaming
Previous names
  • Wheel Casino (1961–62)
  • Eldorado Casino (1962–2021)
Renovated in2007, 2021
Websitepasscasino.com

The Pass Casino, formerly the Eldorado Casino, is a casino in the Water Street District, located in downtown Henderson, Nevada. It is owned and operated by DeSimone Gaming. First opened in 1961, it was owned by Boyd Gaming from 1993 to 2020.

The casino has over 350 slot machines, 6 table games, and a sportsbook.[2]

History

The property opened as the Wheel Casino on February 15, 1961.[3]

By 1962, the Wheel was closed, and Paul Perry agreed to buy it. Attorney Bill Boyd represented him in the transaction, in exchange for a stake in the property. Boyd brought in other investors: a fellow lawyer, his aunt, and his father, Sam Boyd, general manager of the Mint.[4] They reopened it as the Eldorado Casino on July 1.[3]

Around 1965, they acquired the adjacent Royal Club, doubling the Eldorado's size.[5]

The Boyds took over ownership in 1966. Sam bought half of the property for $6,667 and Bill bought a quarter for $3,000, while another of the original investors, Joe Crowley kept the remaining quarter, until he was later bought out.[3] The Boyds tried to emphasize Henderson's small-town feel in operating the casino.[5]

A $1.5-million renovation in 1977 expanded the casino to 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2), to keep up with the town's growth.[3]

Boyd Gaming acquired the casino in 1993.[6] The company used it as a training ground for executives, because its small size requires a hands-on management approach.[4]

In the mid-2000s, Boyd Gaming spent $3 million on renovations.[7]

In March 2020, the state's casinos were ordered to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada.[8] In December 2020, Boyd agreed to sell the closed casino to DeSimone Gaming, the parent company of the Railroad Pass Casino.[9] The Eldorado reopened as The Pass Casino on April 1, 2021.[10] DeSimone had spent $7 million on a 45-day renovation which added various amenities, including two new restaurants, two bars, and an event space. The Mexican restaurant became Italian, and the 1950s diner became a cafe. The casino had over 350 gaming machines, 80 percent of which were new. A new sportsbook was also added,[2][10] and was opened on April 29, 2021. It is operated by Circa Sports.[11]

In March 2022, DeSimone announced plans to build a 90-room Atwell Suites hotel in the casino's parking lot, while an existing parking garage will continue to serve the property.[12] It would be the first hotel to open in the Water Street District,[13][14] and also the second Atwell Suites location to open, in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts.[15] Construction began in February 2023.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage". Nevada Gaming Control Board. March 6, 2018. p. 4. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Shoro, Mike (April 1, 2021). "After 60 years, Henderson casino gets new name, ownership". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. ^ a b c d Lyle, Michael (June 26, 2012). "Henderson's Eldorado Casino to celebrate golden anniversary". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
  4. ^ a b McGarry, Caitlin (June 30, 2012). "Eldorado still family business". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  5. ^ a b Sheehan, Jack (1997). The Players: The Men Who Made Las Vegas. University of Nevada Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-87417-306-2. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  6. ^ Krane, Elliot S. (February 6, 1994). "Boyd's profits up". The Press of Atlantic City. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-07-01. (subscription required)
  7. ^ "Back to the Beginning". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 31, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Horwath, Bryan (February 14, 2021). "Rebranding the Eldorado: New owner modernizing popular landmark on Water Street". VegasInc. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Bryan Horwath (December 10, 2020). "Boyd Gaming sells Eldorado Casino in downtown Henderson". Vegas Inc. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  10. ^ a b Shoro, Mike (1 April 2021). "The Pass opens in Henderson, gets passing grades from guests". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. ^ Katsilometes, John (May 1, 2021). "Casino owner DeSimone opens Circa book with Golden Knights wager". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  12. ^ Segall, Eli (March 19, 2022). "Henderson casino owner sets sights on new downtown hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Segall, Eli (February 14, 2023). "Henderson's Water Street receiving its first hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "New hotel breaks ground in Downtown Henderson". KSNV. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Belleza, Mary Jane (March 23, 2022). "New hotel development plans in the works in Henderson". KLAS. Retrieved March 26, 2022.

External links

36°01′55″N 114°59′00″W / 36.032058°N 114.983296°W / 36.032058; -114.983296

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