Posted on: October 13, 2025, 04:24h.
Last updated on: October 13, 2025, 04:44h.
A rumor making waves in the amusement park community suggests that Gene Staples has presented “a significant bid” to acquire the iconic Desperado roller coaster from Buffalo Bill’s casino in Primm, Nevada. (Yes, there’s indeed a community devoted to roller coasters, and Gene Staples is a revered figure within it.)
Champion of Coasters
Staples, who operates out of Chicago, tends to appear when lines grow short and thrill-seekers begin to lose hope. Since 2018, he has taken on the task of acquiring and rejuvenating several historic amusement parks known for their classic rides.
In 2020, his company, IB Parks & Entertainment, bought Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana, a cherished lakeside amusement park with a history dating back to 1926, right before it faced closure due to financial crises.
Under Staples’ management, rides like the Cornball Express and the Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain were saved from destruction. He also restored the All American Triple Loop, the last remaining Schwarzkopf triple-loop coaster from the 1980s, leading to a reported 25% increase in park attendance.
His portfolio has grown since, including acquisitions such as Clementon Park in New Jersey and Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World in New York.
However, He Will Not Be Purchasing Desperado
“Sadly, that rumor isn’t accurate,” Staples clarified to Casino.org via email. “While we had negotiations earlier this year concerning the coaster and the impressive Buffalo Bill’s property, nothing came to fruition.”
Engineered by Arrow Dynamics and built by Intermountain Lift, Inc., the Desperado made its debut in 1994 as the tallest roller coaster globally, standing 209 feet high—with a 225-foot drop that includes a thrilling underground tunnel.
Running partially indoors through the casino floor, Desperado achieved a peak speed of 80 mph, making it Nevada’s fastest coaster, allowing riders to feel forces of up to 4 G’s.
“Desperado was a fantastic coaster and among the best produced by Arrow,” Staples remarked. “I rode it years ago and hope to see it operational as part of Arrow’s legacy.”
The Desperado was closed after being labeled unsafe by Clark County on December 14, 2019. According to a 2022 report on Instagram, Affinity was unable to afford necessary upgrades to bring it back into service—though it’s also probable that the expenses just didn’t justify the effort.
The Primm area has seen a continuous decline in business over the past two decades, but the pandemic was particularly damaging.
This July marked the closure of Buffalo Bill’s, following the shuttering of Whiskey Pete’s last December. (Affinity strongly asserts that Buffalo Bill’s is not closed since it still hosts concerts and private events.)
Currently, Primm Valley Resorts is the sole property in Primm that remains operational around the clock.
Affinity’s last glimmer of hope lies in a potential revival spurred by the forthcoming Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport. Set to open six miles north of Primm, it is projected to accommodate up to 35 million travelers annually.
However, the airport is not expected to launch until at least 2037. Can Desperado endure such a long wait exposed to the elements without proper care?
“Affinity was gracious enough to provide us with a tour of the amusement equipment at Buffalo Bill’s earlier this year,” Staples shared with Casino.org. “They are doing a commendable job of keeping the rides maintained to ensure they are properly stored for possible future use. The facility at Buffalo Bill’s is exceptional for housing these rides.”
“Hopefully, with the continual evolution of Las Vegas, the rides will be revived sooner rather than later.”