The Pass Casino on Henderson's Water Street is getting a new name on the door, at least behind the scenes. The downtown locals spot has been sold to ECL Water Street LLC, which plans to assume operations once state gaming regulators sign off. The company is targeting an Aug. 1, 2026 closing. Terms of the deal were kept under wraps, and ECL says it will take a hard look at potential renovations and new amenities. Nearby business owners are already speculating that another ownership change could speed up the steady investment rolling into Water Street.
Deal details
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, DeSimone Gaming is set to transfer operations of The Pass to ECL Water Street LLC under a deal announced Tuesday that still needs Nevada gaming-regulator approval. ECL expects the property to formally change hands on Aug. 1, 2026, with no purchase price disclosed. Before the handoff can be completed, regulators must finish their suitability and transfer reviews, which determine whether the new operator can legally and financially take over.
A short history
The corner now known as The Pass has been part of Henderson gambling lore for more than 60 years. The property opened as the Wheel Casino in 1961, then spent decades operating as the Eldorado before Boyd Gaming took over ownership. Boyd eventually sold the site in December 2020. DeSimone Gaming picked up the then-closed casino during the pandemic and brought it back to life as The Pass in April 2021 after a quick, locals-focused renovation that added new dining options and a sportsbook as part of an effort to help anchor Water Street's broader makeover, according to Eater Vegas.
Property at a glance
The Pass lists a casino floor of about 17,756 square feet, with roughly 350 slot machines and six table games, per Wikipedia. The venue is also home to restaurants including Ristorante Italiano and Emilia's Cafe, and it added a Circa Sports-operated sportsbook as part of the DeSimone-era relaunch, according to Gaming America. Sitting at 140 S. Water Street, the casino pitches itself firmly to locals as a key piece of downtown Henderson's Water Street district.
Who ECL Water Street is
ECL Water Street LLC is a Las Vegas-based operator that has been quietly building a portfolio of smaller downtown properties. An affiliated company closed on the Emerald Island and Rainbow Club casinos in January 2024, signaling that Water Street is not just a one-off bet for the group. Sale materials identified gaming and real estate figures Marc Falcone and Ron Winchell as backers of the ECL affiliate, which has been active in regional casino and commercial property deals. Adding The Pass would give ECL another foothold in a corridor that is already drawing new hotel and retail projects.
Owners' statements and what is next
In announcing the deal, DeSimone said ECL had "demonstrated a strong commitment to our community" and emphasized that DeSimone Cos. will continue to own and operate the Atwell Suites hotel next door to the casino, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. ECL, for its part, said it plans to study renovation options and potential new amenities while it evaluates the local market. Executives have not offered a schedule for specific upgrades beyond pointing to the targeted Aug. 1 closing date.
Regulatory next steps
The sale still has to clear Nevada's regulatory gauntlet. The Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission oversee suitability and licensing approvals and publicly post agendas and outcomes of their meetings online. Those reviews typically include detailed background checks, financial disclosures, and sometimes public hearings. Industry watchers say how quickly those agencies move will largely determine when regulars at The Pass notice any meaningful operational or cosmetic changes.
Until then, The Pass is expected to keep operating as usual while the paperwork churns in Carson City and Las Vegas. On Water Street, the question is whether the eventual new operator sticks with a locals-first formula or leans into flashier entertainment to match the district's growing profile.
