The Pass Casino in downtown Henderson’s Water Street District is preparing to change ownership, with ECL Water Street, the company behind the Emerald Island and Rainbow Club casinos, acquiring the property from DeSimone Gaming. The transaction, pending approval from Nevada gaming regulators, is scheduled to finalize on August 1. Following the closing, the casino will close for approximately a year to undergo renovations and enhancements.
Tim Brooks, general manager of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club, emphasized the significance of the acquisition for the local community. “The Pass is a cornerstone of this community,” he said. “We are honored to welcome The Pass into the ECL family and look forward to building on the strong foundation Joe and his team have established.”
Downtown Henderson Market and Expansion Strategy
The purchase will consolidate three major casinos in downtown Henderson under a single operator, positioning ECL to expand its influence in the growing Water Street District, CDC Gaming reports. Brooks noted that the company’s strategy reflects broader residential growth trends in east Henderson. “We wanted to expand on the growing Water Street District and east Henderson market,” he said.
Residential developments nearby, including the Cadence master-planned subdivision about a mile away, have already added roughly 7,500 homes, with thousands more under construction. Another development, located approximately four miles east, is expected to contribute an additional 3,000 homes.
ECL’s Emerald Island, which opened in 2003, features 440 slot machines without table games. The Rainbow Club, acquired by ECL in 2020, houses 330 slots and no table games. Following The Pass renovations, the property is expected to accommodate between 450 and 500 slot devices. ECL also anticipates expanding the workforce by around 50 positions, supplementing the approximately 340 employees across its other Water Street casinos.
Historical Context of The Pass
The Pass has a rich history dating back to its opening in 1961 as the Wheel Casino. It was later renamed the Eldorado Casino under Sam and Bill Boyd, founders of Boyd Gaming. During the 1960s, the Eldorado expanded by acquiring the neighboring Royal Club, effectively doubling the casino’s size. Boyd Gaming later used the property as a training ground for executives due to its smaller scale.
When casinos were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Boyd Gaming kept the Eldorado shuttered until December 2020, when Joe DeSimone purchased the property. He reopened it as The Pass in April 2021 and announced plans for the 90-room Atwell Suites hotel in March 2022, to be built in the casino’s parking lot.
Currently, The Pass features a 17,756-square-foot gaming floor with approximately 350 slot machines, six table games, and a Circa Sports-operated race and sportsbook. Dining options include Ristorante Italiano and Emilia’s Cafe.
Future Plans and Community Integration
ECL intends to modernize the property with upgraded amenities, redesigned interiors, and enhanced food and beverage offerings. Brooks said that the company has not finalized the complete scope of the renovations but intends to preserve The Pass’s role as a key community hub while complementing ongoing Water Street District revitalization efforts.
DeSimone will continue to operate the Atwell Suites hotel, adjacent to The Pass, and retains ownership of the Railroad Pass Casino located between Henderson and Boulder City. “From the day we acquired The Pass, our goal was to honor Henderson’s history while delivering an exceptional experience for our guests,” DeSimone said. “ECL Gaming has demonstrated a strong commitment to our community, and I am confident they will continue to invest in the success of The Pass for years to come.”
Brooks expressed confidence in the future of downtown Henderson’s gaming market. “The casino business has been great for ECL’s properties, and we are very bullish on the future of east Henderson and in particular downtown Henderson,” he said, highlighting the company’s long-term commitment to the area.