Railroad Pass Casino
A historic hotel and casino in Henderson, Nevada, near Railroad Pass and the Boulder City boundary.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Railroad Pass Casino, also known as Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino, is a hotel and gaming property in the southeastern part of Henderson, Nevada. It sits near Railroad Pass, between Boulder Highway and a section of the Union Pacific Railroad's Henderson branch line, close to the boundary with Boulder City and the River Mountains Loop Trail. The location places the property on a historically important transportation corridor connecting the Las Vegas Valley with Boulder City and the Hoover Dam area. The property opened on August 1, 1931, during the construction era of Boulder Dam, now known as Hoover Dam. Because Boulder City prohibited gambling and alcohol at the time, the casino became a convenient destination for dam workers and other travelers who crossed the nearby municipal boundary. Railroad Pass Club was the third casino licensed in Nevada and holds license number 4 under its later name, giving it a distinctive place in the state's early regulated-gaming history. Railroad Pass developed from a small roadside gaming venue into a combined casino, hotel, and dining property. Bob Verchota acquired the property in 1975 and began modernizing it. In 1985, he sold it to Michael Ensign, William Richardson, and David Belding, who also owned the nearby Gold Strike Casino. Railroad Pass subsequently joined their Gold Strike Resorts operation. A five-story, 120-room hotel was built during the following expansion and opened on January 8, 1987. It was described as the first Henderson hotel with more than 100 rooms at the time. The development also enlarged the property's dining facilities and gift shop. The casino later passed through several major gaming-company ownership chains. Gold Strike Resorts was acquired by Circus Circus Enterprises in 1995; that company later became Mandalay Resort Group. MGM Mirage acquired Mandalay Resort Group in 2005 and subsequently operated Railroad Pass within the MGM Resorts corporate portfolio. MGM agreed in 2014 to sell the property to Henderson real-estate broker and developer Joseph DeSimone, with the transaction completed in April 2015. Marcus Suan operated the casino for a period after the sale while DeSimone pursued his gaming license. The property is positioned as a local and regional casino rather than a destination resort on the scale of the Las Vegas Strip. Its offer centers on slot machines, table games, a William Hill sports and race book, hotel rooms, food and beverage outlets, and traveler-oriented amenities. The casino's reported gaming floor covers approximately 12,803 square feet and includes 323 slot machines and six table games. Its proximity to major roads, rail infrastructure, Boulder City, and recreational trails supports a roadside and neighborhood-oriented identity. Construction of a new hotel tower began in 2021. The planned addition was designed to contain 127 rooms and carry the Holiday Inn Express brand. The available reference material does not establish the project's completion date or final operating status. Railroad Pass therefore remains best understood as a historic Henderson casino and hotel whose identity is tied to Nevada gaming history, the Boulder Dam construction period, and its location on the route between Las Vegas-area communities and Boulder City.
History
Railroad Pass Casino opened as Railroad Pass Club on August 1, 1931, in the early years of Nevada's regulated casino industry. Its location was especially significant because it stood close to Boulder City, the planned community associated with the construction of Boulder Dam. Gambling and alcohol were prohibited in Boulder City, so workers and visitors could travel a short distance to Railroad Pass for entertainment and alcoholic beverages. The property was the third casino licensed in Nevada and is identified as license number 4 under its later name. For much of its early existence, Railroad Pass functioned as a roadside and regional gaming venue rather than a large resort. Its setting near the junction of routes connecting the Las Vegas area, Boulder City, and the dam corridor gave it a steady transportation-related customer base. The property is located between Boulder Highway and a segment of the Union Pacific Railroad's Henderson branch line, near the modern boundary between Henderson and Boulder City. The adjacent River Mountains Loop Trail later added a recreational feature to the surrounding area. Bob Verchota purchased Railroad Pass in 1975 and began a modernization effort. In 1985, Verchota sold the property to Michael Ensign, William Richardson, and David Belding, who owned Gold Strike Casino nearby. Railroad Pass became part of Gold Strike Resorts and was subsequently expanded beyond its original casino format. Construction of a five-story, 120-room hotel began in 1986, and the hotel opened on January 8, 1987. It was reported to be the first hotel in Henderson with more than 100 rooms. The expansion also included larger dining areas and a gift shop, making the property more capable of serving overnight guests and highway travelers. The next phase of the property's history was shaped by consolidation in the American casino industry. Circus Circus Enterprises purchased Gold Strike Resorts in 1995, placing Railroad Pass within a larger regional and national gaming company. Circus Circus Enterprises later became Mandalay Resort Group. In 2005, MGM Mirage acquired Mandalay Resort Group, and Railroad Pass became part of the MGM corporate portfolio; MGM Mirage later adopted the MGM Resorts International name. In September 2014, MGM agreed to sell Railroad Pass to Joseph DeSimone, a Henderson-based real-estate broker and developer. The transaction closed in April 2015. After the sale, Marcus Suan operated the casino for several months while DeSimone completed the process of obtaining a gaming license. The change returned the property to local ownership after a period under successive national gaming groups. The casino's reported gaming operation includes approximately 12,803 square feet of gaming space, 323 slot machines, six table games, and a William Hill sports and race book. The property also provides hotel accommodation, dining, and guest services. Its operating model remains oriented toward local residents, regional visitors, and travelers using the Boulder Highway and Boulder City routes rather than the convention, luxury, and entertainment model associated with the Las Vegas Strip. A new hotel tower began construction in 2021. The planned structure was described as a 127-room addition carrying the Holiday Inn Express brand. The available reference does not establish whether the tower was completed, opened, or modified, so its status should be treated as unconfirmed. Railroad Pass nevertheless remains notable for its longevity, its connection to the Boulder Dam construction era, its early Nevada gaming license, and its continued role as a casino and hotel in the Henderson-Boulder City corridor.
- 2021
Planned Holiday Inn Express tower enters construction
[1]Construction began on a planned 127-room hotel tower; completion is not confirmed in the available source.
- 2015
Sale to Joseph DeSimone closes
[1]MGM's sale of Railroad Pass to Joseph DeSimone was completed in April.
- 2005
MGM Mirage acquires Mandalay Resort Group
[1]The transaction brought Railroad Pass into MGM Mirage's portfolio.
- 1995
Gold Strike Resorts is acquired by Circus Circus Enterprises
[1]Railroad Pass entered the Circus Circus Enterprises portfolio through its parent company's acquisition.
- 1987
120-room hotel opens
[1]The property's five-story hotel opened on January 8, together with expanded dining and retail facilities.
- 1985
Property joins Gold Strike Resorts
[1]The casino was sold to the owners of Gold Strike Casino and became part of Gold Strike Resorts.
- 1975
Bob Verchota acquires the property
[1]Verchota purchased Railroad Pass and began modernizing the casino.
- 1931
Casino opens as Railroad Pass Club
[1]Railroad Pass opened on August 1 during the Boulder Dam construction period and served workers from nearby Boulder City.
Products and positioning
A historic, locally oriented Nevada casino and hotel serving Henderson, Boulder City, highway travelers, and visitors to the Hoover Dam and River Mountains area.
Casino gaming · 1931
Casino gaming floor
The core Railroad Pass offering is a Nevada-licensed casino operation. The reported gaming floor covers approximately 12,803 square feet and includes about 323 slot machines and six table games. The mix is designed for local and regional play rather than the extensive gaming inventory of a major destination resort.
Sports wagering
William Hill sports and race book
The property includes a William Hill-branded sports and race book, providing a venue for sports and racing wagers subject to Nevada regulation. The available source identifies the offering but does not provide further details about its current operating arrangements.
Hotel accommodation · 1987
Railroad Pass Hotel
The hotel component began with a five-story, 120-room building that opened in 1987. It expanded the property from a roadside casino into a combined overnight lodging and gaming destination serving Henderson, Boulder City, and travelers along the regional highway corridor.
Hospitality services · 1987
Dining and guest amenities
Railroad Pass has offered dining facilities and a gift shop alongside its casino and hotel operations. These amenities support overnight guests, local customers, and highway travelers, although the available reference does not enumerate current restaurants or retail outlets.
Hotel development · 2021
Planned Holiday Inn Express hotel tower
A 127-room hotel tower began construction in 2021 and was planned to carry the Holiday Inn Express brand. The available reference does not confirm completion, opening, or the final status of the development.
Brand decisions
2021
New hotel tower plannedProduct launchBackground
The property pursued additional lodging capacity after operating for decades with its original hotel.
Action taken
Construction began on a planned 127-room tower intended to use the Holiday Inn Express brand.
Aftermath
The available reference does not document whether the tower was completed or opened.
2014
MGM agrees to divest Railroad PassM&ABackground
After Railroad Pass had passed through Gold Strike Resorts, Circus Circus Enterprises, Mandalay Resort Group, and MGM Mirage ownership, MGM decided to sell the property.
Action taken
MGM agreed to transfer the casino to Henderson developer Joseph DeSimone.
Aftermath
The sale closed in April 2015, returning the property to local ownership.
1986
Decision to add a large hotelProduct launchBackground
The property's owners sought to expand Railroad Pass beyond a casino serving passing motorists and local customers.
Action taken
Construction began on a five-story, 120-room hotel.
Aftermath
The hotel opened in January 1987 and made Railroad Pass a combined hotel, casino, dining, and retail property.
1975
Modernization under new ownershipStrategyBackground
Railroad Pass was an established but modest roadside casino when Bob Verchota acquired it.
Action taken
Verchota began modernizing the property, laying the groundwork for later expansion.
Aftermath
The modernization was followed by a change of ownership and the addition of a substantial hotel and expanded guest facilities.
Sources2 sources
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