At the heart of the glitz, glamour, and high stakes of Las Vegas lies a story that doesn’t often make the headlines. It’s not about jackpots or celebrity residencies. It’s about ownership. About who holds the keys to the casinos that define the city’s landscape. In 2002, Don Barden — a businessman from humble beginnings — made history as the first Black man to own a casino in Las Vegas. His achievement was not just a personal victory, but a landmark moment in Black entrepreneurial history.
In an industry historically closed to African Americans beyond the gaming floor or the entertainment stage, Barden didn’t just walk through the door — he built a new one. His legacy isn’t only about the millions he earned or the properties he acquired. It’s about changing what Black success could look like in spaces long reserved for the privileged few.
A Working-Class Beginning
Born on 20 December 1943 in Inkster, Michigan, a majority-Black working-class suburb of Detroit, Barden was the ninth of thirteen children. His parents instilled in him a work ethic grounded in resilience and determination. From a young age, he understood the obstacles placed before Black people in America — but he also understood the power of self-belief.
He attended Central State University, a historically Black university in Ohio, but left before completing his degree. Instead, he pursued business. Like many self-made entrepreneurs of his generation, he started small. His first business venture was a record store, which he opened at the age of 21. From there, Barden quickly moved into other industries, building a diversified empire over the decades.
From Records to Real Estate
Barden’s ability to identify opportunities — especially in places where others saw risk — was his hallmark. By the 1970s, he had shifted his focus to real estate, eventually securing city contracts to revitalise underserved areas in Detroit. His investments in housing, retail, and commercial development positioned him as one of the city’s most influential Black business leaders.
But he didn’t stop there. Barden expanded into the cable television industry, founding Barden Cablevision, which became the largest Black-owned cable company in the United States. At its peak, the company served over 60,000 subscribers in Detroit. He sold it to Comcast in 1994, reportedly for over $100 million — a testament to his business acumen and long-term strategy.
This sale gave Barden the financial firepower to pursue his next big venture: the casino industry.
Cracking the Casino Code
The gaming industry in the United States has long been seen as a golden goose — generating billions in annual revenue, creating thousands of jobs, and anchoring local economies. But for decades, ownership remained out of reach for African Americans. While Black entertainers performed on stage and Black workers toiled in back-of-house roles, they were rarely seen in boardrooms or on title deeds.
Don Barden set out to change that. His first major foray into the gaming world came in the late 1990s when he was awarded a license to open a casino in Gary, Indiana. There, he developed the Majestic Star Casino, a riverboat casino that quickly became a local institution. His operation was a success, employing hundreds and generating significant revenue for the city.
Barden’s success in Gary laid the groundwork for further expansion. He acquired additional properties in Tunica, Mississippi and Biloxi, Mississippi — two emerging gaming hubs in the American South. But it was his next move that would define his place in history.
The Las Vegas Power Play
In 2002, Don Barden made headlines around the world when he acquired the Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. With that purchase, he became the first African American to wholly own a casino in the city’s storied history.
This was no small feat. Las Vegas, for all its inclusivity on the surface, had a long and painful history of segregation. For years, Black entertainers like Sammy Davis Jr. and Lena Horne were not even allowed to stay in the hotels where they performed. While those policies were eventually dismantled, the legacy of exclusion lingered — especially when it came to who got to own what.
Barden’s acquisition of Fitzgeralds, a 638-room hotel and casino located on the iconic Fremont Street, was more than a business deal. It was a declaration: that Black ownership in Las Vegas was not just possible, but necessary.
He invested millions in upgrades and rebranding, hoping to revitalise the property and draw new visitors. And while his time in Las Vegas wasn’t without its challenges, the symbolic power of his ownership reverberated far beyond Nevada.
Building an Empire with Purpose
Unlike many high-rolling casino moguls, Don Barden didn’t just chase profits — he saw his businesses as tools for community empowerment. Through Barden Companies Inc., he oversaw an empire that spanned gaming, real estate, broadcasting, cable, and development. At its height, his business employed thousands across several states. But what set Barden apart was his commitment to hiring Black professionals, investing in Black communities, and mentoring young entrepreneurs of colour.
In cities like Gary, where unemployment and poverty were rife, Barden’s casinos provided vital jobs and local investment. He understood the importance of circulating wealth within marginalised communities, and he made it part of his business mission.
He often spoke about the need for Black leadership — not just symbolically, but structurally. His operations aimed to put money, power, and opportunity directly into the hands of Black workers and Black communities.
Philanthropy and Recognition
Don Barden’s legacy wasn’t confined to the boardroom. He was a generous philanthropist, contributing millions to educational initiatives, community programmes, and civic organisations. He supported scholarships for Black students, funded youth development projects, and contributed to cultural institutions across the Midwest.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Horatio Alger Award, which recognises individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve great success, and Black Enterprise’s Company of the Year in 2003.
But perhaps the most powerful recognition came from within the community. To many, Don Barden was more than a businessman — he was a symbol of what Black excellence could look like when given space to flourish.
The Challenges and Final Years
Like many entrepreneurs who push the boundaries of convention, Barden’s later years were marked by financial strain. The 2008 economic crash hit the gaming industry hard. Revenue from his properties declined, and he was forced to file for bankruptcy protection for some of his casinos.
Yet even in the face of difficulty, Barden remained respected for what he had accomplished. His willingness to take risks, to invest in underserved areas, and to challenge the status quo was unwavering.
Don Barden passed away from lung cancer on 19 May 2011, at the age of 67. His death marked the end of an era — but not the end of his impact.
A Legacy That Lights the Way
Today, the conversations around representation, equity, and ownership are louder than ever. Don Barden’s story stands as a powerful example of what it means to lead with vision, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to the community.
In a world where Black talent is often celebrated but rarely given full agency, Barden took control — not just of a brand or a business, but of the narrative.
He challenged a system that wasn’t built for him — and made room for those who would follow. As we honour Black pioneers past and present, we must remember Don Barden not just as a casino owner, but as a builder of dreams, a breaker of ceilings, and a bold reminder that Black ownership matters — everywhere.
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