Hotel-casino south of Las Vegas to close for at least 2 years

The Clark County Commission has formally approved the closure of Buffalo Bill’s in Primm for at least two years.

Following a brief hearing Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved Las Vegas-based Affinity Gaming’s request to temporarily close the 1,242-room Old West-themed resort 44 miles south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15.

Affinity officials earlier received permission from the county and the Nevada Gaming Control Board to close the hotel in July, but needed approval for its long-range plan, which includes a 24-month closure with two possible six-month extensions.

Stephanie Gronauer, an attorney for Affinity, told commissioners that since the coronavirus pandemic, visitation has been slow for Primm with some light operations on weekends.

Affinity officials said Buffalo Bill’s would open for brief periods eight to 10 times a year for concerts and special events at the 6,500-seat Star of the Desert Arena. Restaurants and the casino would be available during those brief special-event openings.

There’s no indication what will become of the Desperado, once the tallest roller coaster in the world with a 209-foot hill with the ride reaching 80 mph, or the Adventure Canyon Log Flume ride.

The Bonnie &Clyde “death car” — the famous bullet-riddled getaway car used by notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow — has been moved from Buffalo Bill’s to the Primm Valley Resort next door to Buffalo Bill’s on the east side of I-15, the only resort Affinity has kept open in Primm.

In December, Affinity asked for and received permission from the county commission to temporarily close the 777-room Whiskey Pete’s on the west side of I-15 under the same conditions approved for Buffalo Bill’s. The commission authorized a waiver to county gaming licensing requirements to enable the closure.

Affinity has not indicated how it will staff Buffalo Bill’s on the small number of days it’s open.

Gronauer characterized the closure as temporary and in past discussions with the commission, Affinity has said it expects the market to pick up once construction of the planned Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport in the Ivanpah Valley begins.

Federal airport planners are in the midst of drafting an environmental impact statement for the airport that won’t be completed until the summer of 2027 with final approval expected by spring 2028. That means construction is at least five years away.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.