The Pass Casino
The Pass Casino, formerly the Eldorado Casino, is a casino in Henderson, Nevada, owned and operated by DeSimone Gaming. First opened in 1961, it was owned by Boyd Gaming from 1993 to 2020.
The Pass Casino | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() Eldorado in 2017 | |
Location | Henderson, Nevada |
Address | 140 S Water Street |
Opening date | February 15, 1961 |
Total gaming space | 17,756 sq ft (1,649.6 m2)[1] |
Notable restaurants |
|
Casino type | Land-based |
Owner | DeSimone Gaming |
Previous names |
|
Renovated in | 2007, 2021 |
Website | passcasino |
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 uses 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 second Atwell Suites location to open, in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts.[13]
References
- "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage". Nevada Gaming Control Board. March 6, 2018. p. 4. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- Shoro, Mike (April 1, 2021). "After 60 years, Henderson casino gets new name, ownership". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- Lyle, Michael (June 26, 2012). "Henderson's Eldorado Casino to celebrate golden anniversary". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- McGarry, Caitlin (June 30, 2012). "Eldorado still family business". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
- 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.
- Krane, Elliot S. (February 6, 1994). "Boyd's profits up". The Press of Atlantic City. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-07-01. (subscription required)
- "Back to the Beginning". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 31, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- Horwath, Bryan (February 14, 2021). "Rebranding the Eldorado: New owner modernizing popular landmark on Water Street". VegasInc. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- Bryan Horwath (December 10, 2020). "Boyd Gaming sells Eldorado Casino in downtown Henderson". Vegas Inc. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- 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.
- Katsilometes, John (May 1, 2021). "Casino owner DeSimone opens Circa book with Golden Knights wager". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- Segall, Eli (March 19, 2022). "Henderson casino owner sets sights on new downtown hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- Belleza, Mary Jane (March 23, 2022). "New hotel development plans in the works in Henderson". KLAS. Retrieved March 26, 2022.