Primm Valley Casino Resorts will shut down permanently on July 4, marking the closure of the last continuous casino venue in Primm and leading to the dismissal of staff members at the resort, the Primm Center gas station, and the Flying J truck stop.
According to a termination notice sent to employees, this decision is anticipated to result in the permanent dismissal of all personnel at these locations.
The news of this closure was initially reported by Las Vegas Locally, which shared the employee memo online. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Affinity Gaming, the owner, confirmed the closure.
This shutdown will eliminate full-time casino operations in Primm, previously recognized as State Line, where three casino resorts once thrived along Interstate 15 at the California-Nevada border.
Operational Reductions Timeline
This closure follows previous operational modifications made by Affinity-owned casino establishments in the vicinity.
Buffalo Bill’s Resort had halted operations 24/7 on July 6, 2024. The casino now only opens during special events at the Star of the Desert Arena.
Whiskey Pete’s casino ended its operations in December 2024, leaving only Primm Valley Resort as the remaining full-time casino in the area.
Additionally, the closure of Primm Valley will also lead to the shutdown of the Primm Center gas station and Flying J truck stop located at Whiskey Pete’s.
The outlook for other Affinity-owned businesses near the state line, including the Lotto Store on the California side, remains unclear. The store traditionally draws in Nevada residents who purchase Powerball tickets during major jackpot draws.
Preceding Filings Highlighted Challenges
An October 2024 letter from Affinity Interactive to Clark County officials shed light on the factors affecting operations in Primm.
Within that letter, Erin Barnett, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Affinity Interactive, stated that “traffic at the state line primarily occurs during weekends and is not enough to sustain three full-time casino properties.”
This communication related to a proposal to obtain approval for the temporary closure of Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino while keeping the adjacent truck stop operational.
Barnett mentioned that “anticipated development of an airport and related businesses presents the possibility of revitalization in the area in the coming years.”
Changing Competition Affects Visitor Flow
Primm evolved into a gaming pit stop for travelers between Southern California and Las Vegas. Positioned about 45 minutes closer to Los Angeles than the Las Vegas Strip, this location became recognized for its trio of casinos: Whiskey Pete’s, Primm Valley Resort, and Buffalo Bill’s.
Market analysts pointed to various reasons for the area’s decline, including repercussions from 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 shifted the gambling habits of individuals who previously frequented Nevada establishments.
“If the journey now takes mere minutes instead of several hours, travelers, especially those from the Inland Empire, are likely to opt for local options,” stated Schwartz.
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