Don Laughlin is an American hotelier, rancher and gambler for whom Laughlin in Nevada was named.

Donald Laughlin was born on May 4, 1931 in Owatonna, Minnesota, U.S. At a very young age, he worked as a fur trapper. He used to get the profit to buy slot machines which led him to earn $500 weekly. Eventually, he was given the ultimatum to get out of slots or, drop out of school. That time, he was making three times what the principal was earning, so he left school.

It was in the 1950 when he had his first casino, the "101 Club." Later on, he sold the club and purchased a riverfront motel for $250.00 which he envisioned to become a resort destination.

Less than two years later, the motel has developed significantly. Today, it is known as the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino. As of 1972, it underwent a massive and major expansion. From an eight-room motel, 48 new rooms were added. In 1975, the management added 52 new rooms. Two hundred fifty three rooms were added in 1983 and by 1986, 307 rooms were again added. In 1994, 800 rooms were again added making a total of 1404 rooms.