Laughlin's name comes from Don Laughlin who bought the southern tip of Nevada in 1964 (informally called South Pointe). Laughlin operated the 101 Club in Las Vegas. He opened what would become the Riverside Resort which offered all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for 98 cents, 12 slot machines and two live gaming tables, and 8 motel rooms -- 4 of which were occupied by Don Laughlin's family. Laughlin wanted to call the community "Riverside" or "Casino" but the Post Office opted for Laughlin instead.
Officially, Laughlin is not incorporated as a municipality. It is governed by the Clark County Board of Commissioners, which receives advice from the appointed Laughlin Town Advisory Board, which in turn is headed by a Town Manager (instead of a Mayor). Police protection is provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), and fire protection by the Clark County Fire Department.
Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno, and is one of the top 5 destinations for American RV enthusiasts. The unincorporated township is named for founder Don Laughlin, an Owatonna, Minnesota native who owns the Riverside Resort and Casino.
Laughlin is advertised as a more family-friendly venue than its contemporaries, and as such has a greater emphasis on outdoor and family activities as opposed to the greater glitz and adult entertainment found in Las Vegas or Reno. Many of the casinos that line the Colorado River are linked by an unofficial pedestrian thoroughfare known as the Laughlin Riverwalk.