Overview
Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino was a western-themed hotel, casino, and entertainment complex in Primm, Nevada, near the California state line on Interstate 15. The property opened in 1994 as part of the Primm casino resort area and became one of the most recognizable roadside casino landmarks between Southern California and Las Vegas.
The resort was named after William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and used an Old West theme throughout the property. Buffalo Bill’s was best known for combining casino gaming, hotel rooms, live entertainment, and large amusement rides, including the Desperado roller coaster and the Adventure Canyon log flume.
Buffalo Bill’s declined along with the broader Primm casino market as travel patterns changed and competition increased from California tribal casinos. The property closed during the COVID-19 shutdown period, later reopened on a reduced basis, and eventually ended regular casino operations. In 2026, reporting indicated that remaining Primm casino operations were also scheduled to close, marking a major decline for the once-busy casino stop at the Nevada-California border.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino |
| Location | Primm, Nevada, USA |
| Address | 31700 S Las Vegas Blvd, Primm, NV 89019 |
| Opened | 1994 |
| Theme | Old West / Western |
| Property Type | Hotel, casino, entertainment resort |
| Hotel Rooms | Approximately 1,242 rooms |
| Casino Space | Approximately 61,000 square feet |
| Major Attractions | Desperado roller coaster, Adventure Canyon log flume, Star of the Desert Arena |
| Desperado Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Desperado Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Related Primm Properties | Primm Valley Resort & Casino, Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino |
| Later Operator | Affinity Gaming / Affinity Interactive interests |
| Status | Closed for regular casino operations |
Physical Description
Buffalo Bill’s was a large western-themed resort built along Interstate 15. The exterior used frontier-style visual elements, large signage, hotel towers, and amusement ride structures that made the property highly visible from the highway.
The most recognizable feature was the Desperado roller coaster. The yellow steel coaster track wrapped around and passed near portions of the resort complex. Desperado was an Arrow Dynamics hypercoaster designed by Ron Toomer. Roller Coaster Database lists the ride as having operated from 1994 to October 2019.
The resort also included the Adventure Canyon log flume, which traveled through themed indoor and outdoor areas. This gave Buffalo Bill’s a mixed casino and amusement-park character uncommon among Nevada hotel-casino properties.
Other features included a casino floor, restaurants, arcade areas, event spaces, and the Star of the Desert Arena. The arena hosted concerts and special events during the property’s active years.
History
Buffalo Bill’s opened in 1994 during a period when Primm was being expanded as a highway casino and entertainment stop for travelers between Las Vegas and Southern California. The resort added a larger entertainment focus to the Primm market by combining casino gaming with amusement rides, hotel rooms, and live events.
The property became a familiar landmark for drivers entering Nevada from California. The Desperado roller coaster, hotel towers, and roadside signage made Buffalo Bill’s one of the most visible properties in Primm.
Over time, the Primm casino market weakened. Increased competition from California tribal casinos, reduced travel-stop demand, and changing visitor habits affected the area’s casino resorts. Buffalo Bill’s and other nearby properties experienced reduced operations, temporary closures, and later permanent closure plans.
Buffalo Bill’s closed during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown period in 2020. It later reopened with reduced operations, but major amusement attractions such as Desperado did not return to regular operation. By 2025, Buffalo Bill’s had closed as a regular casino operation. In May 2026, multiple reports stated that the remaining Primm casino operations were scheduled to close by July 4, 2026.
Historical Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970s | Primm developed as a casino and highway stop near the California-Nevada border. |
| 1994 | Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino opened in Primm, Nevada. |
| 1994 | Desperado roller coaster opened at Buffalo Bill’s. |
| 1990s | Buffalo Bill’s operated as a major Primm entertainment stop with casino gaming, hotel rooms, rides, and live events. |
| 2019 | Desperado stopped regular operation. |
| 2020 | Buffalo Bill’s closed during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown period. |
| 2022 | The property reopened, though major rides remained closed. |
| 2025 | Buffalo Bill’s closed as a regular casino operation. |
| 2026 | Reports indicated that remaining Primm casino operations were scheduled to close by July 4, 2026. |
References
References
- https://primmvalleyresorts.com/welcome/
Official Primm Valley Resorts page with current Buffalo Bill’s event and property information. - https://rcdb.com/103.htm
Roller Coaster Database page for the Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino. - https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/primm-casino-closures
Nevada Independent reporting on Primm casino closures and Buffalo Bill’s current status. - https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/cash-drain-can-primm-be-revived-3824630/
Las Vegas Review-Journal article covering Affinity Gaming’s closure notice for Primm operations. - https://www.ktnv.com/news/buffalo-bills-casino-other-primm-resort-destinations-permanently-closing
KTNV news report on Buffalo Bill’s and other Primm resort closure developments.
Memorabilia
