1991 | View across the Colorado from Bullfrog City to Laughlin
The Lower Colorado River marks the state border between Arizona and Nevada, and even lower down, between Arizona and California; Nevada is a geographical wedge driven between the two others. Historically, Laughlin was the first place travelers could stop to gamble on their way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The little town there was purchased by Don Laughlin, who started out with twelve slot machines, and earned enough of other people’s money to build access highways, a substantial bridge, and an international airport to support his growing enterprise.
Recent reports show that the Laughlin casinos bring in almost half as much pit-gaming revenue as the downtown facilities of Las Vegas, and even greater slot-machine revenue than downtown.