Casino cuts full-time hours at Primm border stop
Prim, Nevada (High Desert News Online) – Buffalo Bill’s, the once-bustling Primm casino on the drive to Las Vegas, will end its 24/7 service on July 7, 2025. Buffalo Bill’s operating hours will shrink dramatically as all full-time gambling shifts next door to Primm Valley Resort & Casino.
Reasons for the Operating Change
Buffalo Bill’s has seen fewer guests in recent years, in part because more California tribal casinos have opened closer to home. This decline in traffic made running three full-time casinos in Primm too costly for parent company Affinity Gaming.
Rising staffing and maintenance costs further eroded profits at Buffalo Bill’s. The casino’s elaborate rides and exhibits, once a unique draw, now require more upkeep than revenue can support.
Affinity Gaming announced that shifting 24/7 operations to Primm Valley Resort & Casino will let them focus resources on their most modern property, while keeping Buffalo Bill’s open for special events at its arena.
Guests can still visit Buffalo Bill’s for concerts and large gatherings at the Star of the Desert Arena, but daily table games and slot machines will operate on a limited schedule.
Impact on High Desert Travelers
For High Desert residents and road-trippers from Southern California, Buffalo Bill’s has long been a convenient first stop before the Vegas Strip. The reduced operating hours mean fewer late-night gambling options and dining services along Interstate 15.
Local drivers who relied on Buffalo Bill’s as an affordable overnight alternative will now need to plan around Primm Valley’s schedule or push on to Las Vegas. This change may affect larger travel patterns, especially for budget-minded families.
Some visitors may appreciate the clearer signage and improved amenities at Primm Valley Resort & Casino, which will inherit Buffalo Bill’s full-time gaming operations and modern slot machines.
However, the Nevadans who have worked at Buffalo Bill’s may face shifts in schedules or rehiring at the nearby property, altering commuting patterns for High Desert employees.
Community Reaction
“I’ve stopped there for over twenty years,” said longtime High Desert resident Maria Lopez. “It’s sad to see Buffalo Bill’s hours cut, but I get that business changes.”
Local restaurant owner Tom Nguyen fears less evening traffic may reduce dinner-hour customers: “When the casino is open late, folks grab a bite here first. Now we’ll probably see a dip in late-night sales.”
On social media, patrons reminisced about rides like the Adventure Canyon log flume and Desperado coaster. Many lamented the end of round-the-clock gaming but looked forward to special concerts at the arena.
Affinity Gaming has invited community members to upcoming public meetings to discuss future event lineups and address local concerns about traffic and employment.
Primm Casino’s Future
With Buffalo Bill’s shifting to event-only hours, Primm Valley Resort & Casino will become the sole full-time gaming destination in Primm. The company has touted plans for new slot floors, refreshed hotel rooms, and expanded dining at Primm Valley.
Affinity Gaming sees an opportunity to concentrate marketing and renovation dollars at one flagship property, hoping to drive higher average spend per guest.
Longer-term, the development of the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport—projected to open by 2037—could bring renewed interstate traffic and justify reopening or reimagining Buffalo Bill’s full-time operations.
In the meantime, Primm’s remaining attractions, including the Fashion Outlets mall and Star of the Desert Arena, will need to attract off-peak visitors to compensate for the lost casino hours.
Legacy of Buffalo Bill’s
Since opening in 1994, Buffalo Bill’s pioneered the blend of casino gaming and theme-park thrills with record-breaking roller coasters and a log flume inside the gaming floor.
The resort proved that bold ideas could thrive in the desert, attracting adventurous travelers and setting a memorable roadside landmark.
Though full-time casino lights will dim after July 7, Buffalo Bill’s legacy lives on in the unique rides, the arena concerts, and the community stories it inspired.
As Buffalo Bill’s transitions to a special-events venue, it reminds us that innovation often comes with change—and sometimes that means shifting from round-the-clock service to memorable experiences at select times.
