My mother worked here as a waitress for 20+ years and saw the downfall in realtime. Covid was the final nail in the coffin. Its sad to see it this way as this could very well be nostalgia but this seems to be one of the most unique casino's you could enter. Watching fourth of July fireworks and feeding the fish in the moat around the building/boat. I will never forget the memories here.
It had nothing to do with Covid. The new owners did a structural analysis and found that the older motel section was sinking into the river bed. This caused additional structural integrity issues within the entire complex that are just too costly to repair. I’m sure they’d like to tear it down and build a new resort, but sadly Laughlin is a dying town, and they would lose a fortune.
This video gives off a sunken ship under water type feeling. The Belle was a very unique place... remember my summers traveling to Lake Powell always stopped here. Best arcade back in the late 80's. Gambling was fun too. 😀
In June of 1988, I spent a lot of time at the arcade there. It was great that it was only a nickel a game there back then. I could stay there all day (and stay out of the heat) all day.
I was told a few years back that the infrastructure under the building has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer be used. I don't believe rebuilding is an option.
Very cool presentation. I never noticed that life boat on top. I was in Laughlin recently and some of the spectacular lighting on the outside of the Colorado Belle facing Bullhead City is burnt out. I wish that was maintained. I love Laughlin in general. I'll be staying there at the Golden Nugget in a few weeks.
First stayed at the Colorado Belle when it first opened, Don Laughlin hadn't built the bridge yet and you had to park on the Bullhead City side and cross the river on the pontoon boats that were run by the hotel casinos. It was quite the establishment and gonna miss her.
I stayed at the Colorado Belle back in the day, but I think it's time they implode that huge mess! Hell, they could bulldoze the whole site and create a huge RV resort in it's place!
To tear it down is going to cost a lot as I am sure your going to have to deal with the materials it is built out of and that River running right along side of it. You more than likely would have a very serious problem with asbestosis removal near that river?
It closed in Spring 2020 when the Nevada governor forced all casinos to close. I'm sure economic reasons kept it from re-opening. I'd been told several years ago that the owners became aware of serious issues with the structure below grade - plumbing, foundation, etc - very expensive to repair, especially being on the river. I'm guessing that weighed in on the decision.
