Primm Valley Casino Resort will permanently shut its doors on July 4, marking the end of operations at the last full-time casino in Primm. This closure will also result in job losses for employees at the resort, the Primm Center gas station, and the Flying J truck stop.
Employees received a termination notice indicating that this decision would lead to the permanent end of their employment at these locations. The news was initially reported by Las Vegas Locally, which shared the employee notice online. Affinity Gaming, the owner of the resort, later confirmed the closure on Wednesday.
This shutdown signifies the end of full-time casino operations in Primm, previously known as State Line, where three casino resorts once thrived along Interstate 15 at the California-Nevada border.
The closure follows previous operational changes at Affinity-owned casinos in the region. Buffalo Bill’s Resort ended its 24/7 operations on July 6, 2024, now only opening for special events at the Star of the Desert Arena. Whiskey Pete’s casino ceased operations in December 2024, leaving Primm Valley Resort as the only remaining full-time casino in the area.
In addition to the Primm Valley closure, Primadonna Co. LLC will also close the Primm Center gas station and the Flying J truck stop located at Whiskey Pete’s.
The future of other Affinity-owned operations near the state line, such as the Lotto Store on the California side, remains uncertain. This store has historically attracted Nevada residents buying Powerball tickets during larger jackpots.
An October 2024 letter from Affinity Interactive to Clark County officials shed light on the operational challenges in Primm. Erin Barnett, senior vice president and general counsel for Affinity Interactive, noted that traffic at the state line is predominantly weekend-oriented and insufficient to sustain three full-time casinos.
The letter also discussed a proposal to temporarily close Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino while keeping the adjacent truck stop operational. Barnett expressed optimism about potential future developments, including an airport and related businesses that could revitalize the area.
Primm has historically served as a gaming stop for travelers between Southern California and Las Vegas. Situated approximately 45 minutes closer to Los Angeles than the Las Vegas Strip, it was known for its trio of casinos: Whiskey Pete’s, Primm Valley Resort, and Buffalo Bill’s.
Industry experts have pointed to various factors contributing to the decline of the area, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. David G. Schwartz, a gaming historian and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, noted that the rise of tribal casinos in Southern California has altered gambling travel patterns, leading many gamblers to stay closer to home.