Once-popular desert pit stop now resembles a ghost town

Primm, the casino-resort destination between L.A. and Las Vegas, is vanishing

- By Andrew J. Campa

BUFFALO BILL'S, Primm's western-themed resort, closed on July 6 after 31 years of regular business.

(BRIDGET BENNETT For The Times)

As the sun set just before 8 p.m., the bison-headed neon marquee welcoming visitors to Primm flickered faintly.

The animal's face was dark, though the words "Buffalo Bill's" remained alight — for now — for the down-on-its-luck resort and casino.

Inland Empire residents Marcy Glenn and Kristina Gula parked in a mostly vacant lot and ran to pose for a selfie in front of the sign. One last snapshot.

"I've been coming here since I was a kid, when I was handed a bag of quarters to play all day at the arcade," Gula said. "I just can't believe it's closing."

Primm was once one of Nevada's more popular gambling resorts, a less expensive, less flashy, slightly more kitschy alternative to Las Vegas that benefited from being a good 45 minutes closer than Sin City.

It was the place where you could stop and ride the iconic freeway-adjacent roller coaster, ogle the Bonnie and Clyde “Death Car” or shop at the premium outlet mall.

But a series of factors has contributed to Primm’s slow decline, including the COVID pandemic and increased competition from casinos popping up on tribal lands in California.

Those newer casinos are easier to get to than Primm from key Southern California population centers, reducing the value proposition.

Las Vegas has suffered a tourism drop, with regular and casual visitors complaining about the cost of resort fees, parking and other amenities. But that so far has not helped Primm’s prospects.