The Pass Casino in downtown Henderson is set for another ownership change, with ECL Water Street agreeing to buy the property from DeSimone Gaming. The deal would bring all three casinos in the Water Street District under one ownership group. The sale is expected to close on August 1, subject to Nevada gaming regulatory approval. Financial terms were not disclosed.
ECL grows on Water Street
ECL Water Street already operates Emerald Island Casino and Rainbow Club Casino in downtown Henderson. Buying The Pass would give the company control of the district’s three main casino properties.
The move expands ECL’s position in an area that has seen new restaurants, housing and entertainment projects in recent years. Water Street has become a local redevelopment focus for Henderson, with casinos playing a central role in the district’s visitor traffic.
ECL plans to review renovation options after the deal closes. The company is expected to look at upgrades, new amenities and possible changes to the gaming floor.
The Pass has had several owners
The Pass opened in 1961 as the Wheel Casino. It later became the Eldorado Casino and was long associated with Boyd Gaming before being sold to Joe DeSimone in 2020.
DeSimone reopened the property as The Pass in April 2021 after a renovation. The casino now includes about 350 slot machines, six table games and a Circa Sports-operated sportsbook. The latest transaction would mark the fifth ownership change for the long-running Henderson property. It also continues a period of local casino reshuffling in the city’s historic downtown area.
DeSimone keeps nearby hotel project
DeSimone Companies will continue to own and operate Atwell Suites on Water Street. The hotel is next to The Pass and was developed to bring more lodging and visitor activity to downtown Henderson. DeSimone also owns Railroad Pass Casino, located between Henderson and Boulder City. That means the sale of The Pass would not remove the company from Nevada gaming.
The separation of the casino sale from the hotel keeps DeSimone tied to Water Street. It also allows ECL to focus on casino operations while the adjoining lodging business remains under DeSimone control.
Water Street has three casino brands
Water Street’s casino cluster includes The Pass, Emerald Island and Rainbow Club. Each property is aimed mainly at locals rather than Strip-style tourists. Emerald Island is known for slot-focused gaming, while Rainbow Club has a long local history in downtown Henderson. The Pass adds table games and a sportsbook to the group, giving ECL a wider casino mix if the acquisition is approved.
