The Old West-themed casino south of Las Vegas, Nevada is scaling down its 24/7 operations, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
Affinity Gaming, the casino’s parent company, confirmed Buffalo Bill’s Resort will soon reduce its hours due to economic conditions. However, the casino, food and beverage service and hotel will be available for concerts and other events.
Key takeaways
- The property struggled to meet economic standards after it reopened post-COVID.
- This is the second Primm resort to face economic uncertainty within the last year.
- A potential nearby airport provided optimism for Primm’s long-term outlook.
The casino’s dial back will see Affinity Gaming’s focus shift to the Primm Valley Resort next door to Buffalo Bill’s on the east side of Interstate 15. This is less than a year after Whiskey Pete’s, another hotel on the west side of I-15, underwent a “long-term closure.”
Affinity Gaming received special permission from the Clark County Commission to close the 1,242-room hotel for an undisclosed amount of time.
The Star of the Desert Arena, a 6,500-seat entertainment venue, will stay open for concerts and special events, starting with its fall schedule. The hotel at Buffalo Bill's will also open to accommodate guests for these events.
“Buffalo Bill’s will continue to be home for exciting concerts and special events,” Primm Valley Casino Resorts said in a statement it posted on its social media accounts. “We thank our guests for their ongoing support and look forward to serving them for years to come.”
A murky future
It’s unclear what happens to the Desperado, the former tallest roller coaster in the world that's highlighted by a 209-foot hill and speeds of 80 miles per hour, and the Adventure Canyon Log Flume. Both rides went out of commission during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and didn't reopen with Buffalo Bill’s in Dec. 2022.
Affinity’s request to Clark County said Whiskey Pete’s would be closed for potentially 24 months with the possibility of two further six-month closures. However, no estimate was included for Buffalo Bill’s.
Company officials said they plan to refocus their Primm resorts from getaway housing to travel resources for motorists and truckers traveling through the southwestern United States.
“In recent years, and particularly post-pandemic, the traffic at the state line has proved to be heavily weighted towards weekend activity and insufficient to support three full-time casino properties,” Affinity Senior Vice President and General Counsel Erin Barnett wrote to Clark County officials.
Reason for optimism
Despite the recent setbacks, there’s a possibility for a resurgence in hospitality and tourism. Development plans exist for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport in the Ivanpah Valley between Jean and Primm.
The airport won’t open until at least 2037. The first of three public hearings regarding the environmental impact is scheduled for July 29, while the third hearing on July 31 takes place at Primm Valley Resort’s ballroom.
