Donald Carano has had a prestigious career as an attorney and casino operator.

After attending law school at the University of San Francisco, Carano was admitted to practice law in Nevada in 1959. He was a founder of the Reno law firm McDonald Carano Wilson LLP in 1961, and he retains an "of counsel" relationship with the firm. He is better known, however, as the CEO of Eldorado Resorts, one of Northern Nevada's leading casino companies.

In 1973, Carano founded the Eldorado casino, which became one of the premier casino hotels in the region. Since then, he has guided Eldorado Resorts, LLC to growth: as of 2008, the company owned an Eldorado casino in Shreveport, Louisiana, Tamarack Junction casino in Reno, the flagship downtown Eldorado, and a 50% interest in the adjacent Silver Legacy.

Carano also co-founded and currently co-owns Ferrari-Carano Vineyards, one of California's most successful wineries. Though his career has transcended mere casino ownership, he nevertheless has a prominent place in the gaming industry.