Whiskey Pete’s, a casino located in Primm just south-southwest of Las Vegas on the Nevada-California border, is set to close by the end of the year. This decision marks a significant downturn in Primm’s gambling economy, which has been a cornerstone of the town’s economic activity for decades.
Whiskey Pete’s is one of the three properties that make up the Primm Valley Casino Resorts, along with Primm Valley Resort & Casino and Buffalo Bill’s. The casino, which opened in 1977 with 777 hotel rooms, resembles a budget-friendly version of Las Vegas’s Excalibur. Over the years, the ownership of Primm Valley Resorts has changed hands, with MGM acquiring the property in 1999 and later selling it to Herbst Gaming, now known as Affinity Gaming, in 2007.
Recent reports from Vital Vegas indicate that Buffalo Bill’s, known for its Desperado roller coaster (which has been out of service since the pandemic closures), will soon operate as a weekend-only property. Additionally, the Prizm Outlets, formerly known as the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas, is facing a decline, with only one tenant remaining. In light of these changes, Primm Valley Resort & Casino will become Affinity’s primary focus in Primm, receiving additional investment and undergoing changes in the near future.
While Primm may not be well-known to those outside of Nevada or California, gamers may recognize the town as a location in the popular game Fallout: New Vegas. The game features fictionalized versions of Primm’s three casinos, with the Bison Steve Hotel representing Buffalo Bill’s, the Vikki and Vance Casino inspired by Whiskey Pete’s and Primm Valley Resort & Casino, and the El Diablo rollercoaster standing in for the Desperado.
The closure of Whiskey Pete’s signals a significant shift in Primm’s gambling landscape and raises questions about the future of the town’s economy. With changes on the horizon for the remaining properties in the Primm Valley Casino Resorts, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the local community and the overall appeal of Primm as a destination for visitors. As the year comes to a close, the closure of Whiskey Pete’s marks the end of an era for this iconic casino and its place in the history of Primm’s gambling industry.