That same year, Laughlin was flying his private plane over the California/Arizona/Nevada tri-state area near the Colorado River.

Growth in the area, specifically in Bullhead City and Kingman in Arizona, and Needles in California, was spurred by the construction of nearby Davis Dam, completed in 1951.

In less than two years the Riverside Resort was entertaining guests not only with gambling but with all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents.

Postal Service inspector asked Laughlin to give a name to the area post office in order to receive mail.

[2] In 1972, the property, now known as the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino, underwent a major expansion with the addition of 48 new rooms.

One longtime exhibit, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro nicknamed "Big Red" and specially prepared for road racing, has been returned to service and was the cover story of the May 2005 edition of Hot Rod Magazine.

Laughlin spent his time shuttling in his private helicopter between his penthouse suite atop the Riverside and his cattle ranch in nearby Kingman.