Buffalo Bill's
Buffalo Bill's was a hotel, casino, entertainment, and amusement property in Primm, Nevada, near the California state line.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Buffalo Bill's was a large hotel-casino and entertainment property in Primm, Nevada, at the California border. Named after the American frontiersman and showman Buffalo Bill, the property formed part of the Primm Valley Resorts complex and was associated with the nearby Primm Valley Resort and Whiskey Pete's. It was designed as a roadside destination for travelers moving between Southern California and Las Vegas, combining lodging, gaming, restaurants, attractions, and event facilities under a strongly themed Western identity. The property opened on May 14, 1994, with 592 hotel rooms. A second hotel tower was added in 1995, bringing the lodging operation to two principal towers: the Annie Oakley Tower, also called the A Tower, and the Buffalo Bill Tower, or B Tower. At its mature scale, Buffalo Bill's had 1,242 guest rooms and suites. Its 61,372-square-foot casino included more than 1,700 slot machines, table games, and a race and sports book. The property also contained the 6,500-seat Star of the Desert Arena, which was used for concerts and other large events. Entertainment was central to the brand. Buffalo Bill's was home to the Desperado, a hypercoaster featuring a 225-foot drop and a reported top speed of 80 miles per hour, as well as a log flume and a swimming pool shaped like a buffalo. The roller coaster became one of the property's most recognizable features, although its operation became increasingly limited and was generally restricted to weekends by 2019. A tram connected Buffalo Bill's with the neighboring Primm Valley Resort; a separate service allowed travelers to connect onward with Whiskey Pete's across Interstate 15. Both tram services had ceased operating by the mid-2010s. Ownership of Primm Valley Resorts changed from MGM Mirage to Herbst Gaming in the 2000s, with a formal ownership-change ceremony held at Buffalo Bill's in April 2007. Under Herbst, the property pursued a marketing strategy aimed particularly at Latino customers from California's Inland Empire. The program included Spanish-speaking dealers, charter-bus trips, concerts by norteño performer Ramón Ayala, and a Mexican restaurant carrying Ayala's name. The property also hosted a Nevada location of Cuca's Mexican Food beginning in 2019. Buffalo Bill's appeared as a filming location in the 1997 film Top of the World. It also housed or displayed notable attractions, including the automobile in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed. That vehicle was moved among properties in the Primm Valley Resorts portfolio and was displayed at Buffalo Bill's after the property's reopening in 2022. The hotel-casino closed on March 17, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened on December 23, 2022, after renovations that included restaurant improvements and the installation of new slot machines. The Desperado roller coaster and log flume did not return after reopening, reportedly because of Clark County regulatory requirements. A later decline in business in the Primm area led to an announcement that Buffalo Bill's would close again on July 7, 2025 and operate only for special events. On the available reference record, the property is therefore treated as defunct as a continuously operating hotel-casino brand.
History
Buffalo Bill's developed as one of the major resort properties in Primm, Nevada, a small border settlement on Interstate 15 between Southern California and the Las Vegas region. The property used a frontier and Western theme associated with Buffalo Bill, making its identity distinct from a conventional highway hotel or a purely casino-focused venue. Its location enabled it to serve motorists, bus groups, casino visitors, event attendees, and travelers seeking a stop before or after entering the Las Vegas market. The hotel-casino opened on May 14, 1994, with 592 rooms. Expansion followed in 1995, when a second tower was added. The completed property eventually had 1,242 guest rooms and suites organized in the Annie Oakley Tower and Buffalo Bill Tower. Its casino covered 61,372 square feet and offered more than 1,700 slot machines, table games, and a race and sports book. The property also included restaurants, an arena, and amusement facilities, giving it a broader destination-resort proposition than a standard gaming hall. The Desperado roller coaster was the best-known attraction. It was a hypercoaster with a 225-foot drop and a top speed reported at 80 miles per hour. Buffalo Bill's additionally featured a log flume and a buffalo-shaped swimming pool. These attractions helped the property appeal to families and tourists as well as casino customers. The Star of the Desert Arena, with seating for approximately 6,500 people, supported concerts and other major events. The casino and hotel interiors and exteriors were also used in the 1997 film Top of the World. Buffalo Bill's operated within the Primm Valley Resorts group. In 2007, ownership of the group moved from MGM Mirage to Herbst Gaming, and the formal ceremony marking the change was held at Buffalo Bill's. During the Herbst period, management emphasized customers from California's Inland Empire, particularly Latino visitors. The approach included Spanish-speaking dealers, charter-bus transportation, concerts by norteño artist Ramón Ayala, and a Mexican restaurant carrying his name. In 2019, Cuca's Mexican Food opened its first Nevada hotel location at Buffalo Bill's, extending a restaurant brand rooted in Southern California. The property was connected to nearby resorts by an automated tram system. A multi-car tram linked Buffalo Bill's with Primm Valley Resort, while passengers could connect from there to a separate single-car service serving Whiskey Pete's across Interstate 15. These tram systems had stopped operating by the middle of the 2010s. The property also displayed the automobile associated with the deaths of Bonnie and Clyde at different points in the attraction's history. The car moved among Primm-area properties and was placed at Buffalo Bill's after the 2022 reopening before later returning to the Primm Valley Resorts properties. Buffalo Bill's closed on March 17, 2020, during the pandemic. It underwent renovation work, including restaurant upgrades and the installation of new slot machines, and reopened on December 23, 2022. The Desperado and log flume did not resume operation, with the available account attributing their continued closure to Clark County regulations. By 2025, declining business in the Primm area had led to a further closure announcement. The property was scheduled to close on July 7, 2025, except for special-event activity. Its history illustrates the challenges faced by a geographically isolated border resort that depended on highway traffic, casino visitation, attractions, and large-scale entertainment.
- 2025
Final hotel-casino closure announced
[1]A decline in Primm-area business leads to an announcement that Buffalo Bill's will close on July 7 and operate only for special events.
- 2022
Renovated property reopens
[1]The property reopens on December 23 after renovations, including restaurant improvements and new slot machines.
- 2020
Pandemic closure
[1]Buffalo Bill's closes on March 17 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2019
Cuca's opens a Nevada hotel location
[1]Cuca's Mexican Food opens its first Nevada hotel location inside Buffalo Bill's.
- 2007
Primm Valley Resorts changes ownership
[1]Herbst Gaming takes ownership of Primm Valley Resorts from MGM Mirage; the formal ceremony takes place at Buffalo Bill's.
- 1995
Second hotel tower added
[1]A second tower expands the property's hotel capacity and establishes its two-tower lodging layout.
- 1994
Hotel-casino opens
[1]Buffalo Bill's opens in Primm on May 14 with 592 hotel rooms.
Products and positioning
A themed roadside resort combining Western-style identity, casino gaming, hotel accommodation, live entertainment, restaurants, and family-oriented attractions for travelers between Southern California and Las Vegas.
hotel · 1994
Buffalo Bill's Hotel
The lodging operation opened with 592 rooms and later expanded to 1,242 guest rooms and suites across the Annie Oakley Tower and Buffalo Bill Tower. It served highway travelers, casino guests, and visitors attending entertainment and special events at the property.
casino · 1994
Buffalo Bill's Casino
The casino occupied approximately 61,372 square feet and offered more than 1,700 slot machines, table games, and a race and sports book. Gaming was the core commercial activity supporting the broader hotel and resort operation.
amusement attraction
Desperado
Desperado was a hypercoaster at Buffalo Bill's with a 225-foot drop and a reported maximum speed of 80 miles per hour. It was a signature visual and recreational attraction, although operation became limited before the attraction ceased reopening after the property's 2022 renovation period.
entertainment venue
Star of the Desert Arena
The Star of the Desert Arena was a 6,500-seat venue designed for concerts and other large-scale events. It expanded Buffalo Bill's beyond lodging and casino gaming into regional entertainment programming.
restaurant · 2019
Cuca's Mexican Food at Buffalo Bill's
Opened in 2019, this was Cuca's first hotel location in Nevada. It extended the Southern California restaurant brand's presence into the Buffalo Bill's property and complemented the resort's broader food-service offering.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007California Latino market strategy
California Inland Empire · Nevada
Herbst Gaming pursued a strategy focused on Latino customers traveling from California's Inland Empire. The program used Spanish-speaking dealers, charter-bus trips, norteño performances by Ramón Ayala, and a Mexican restaurant associated with the performer.
Outcome. The strategy broadened the property's targeted customer base and aligned its programming and services with a major regional visitor segment.
Brand decisions
2025
Close regular operationsOtherBackground
Business in the Primm area declined, weakening the basis for continuous hotel and casino operations.
Action taken
The property was announced to close on July 7, 2025, with operation limited to special events.
Aftermath
Buffalo Bill's ceased to function as a continuously operating hotel-casino property and is treated as defunct on the available record.
2022
Reopen after property renovationsStrategyBackground
After the pandemic closure, the property required upgrades before returning to operation.
Action taken
Restaurant facilities were upgraded and new slot machines were installed before a December 23 reopening.
Aftermath
The hotel-casino resumed operations, but the Desperado roller coaster and log flume did not reopen.
2020
Close during the COVID-19 pandemicOtherBackground
The pandemic disrupted tourism, casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Action taken
Buffalo Bill's closed on March 17, 2020.
Aftermath
The property underwent renovations before reopening in December 2022.
2007
Transfer ownership of Primm Valley Resorts to Herbst GamingM&ABackground
Primm Valley Resorts, including Buffalo Bill's, changed ownership from MGM Mirage.
Action taken
Herbst Gaming assumed ownership, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Buffalo Bill's.
Aftermath
The new ownership period included a marketing push toward Latino customers from California.
1995
Expand the hotel with a second towerGeneration changeBackground
The original property opened with 592 rooms, creating a basis for additional lodging capacity.
Action taken
A second hotel tower was added, producing the Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill tower configuration.
Aftermath
The property later operated with 1,242 guest rooms and suites.
Recent events
Corona Hard Seltzer announces partnership with the Buffalo Bills[2]
Reported:
Corona Hard Seltzer announced a new multi-year partnership with the Buffalo Bills and became an official hard seltzer of the team, with sponsorship of fan experiences and events.
M&T Bank announces return of Gift of Warmth campaign[3]
M&T Bank announced that its Gift of Warmth warm-clothing collection campaign would return, with donations accepted at 64 area branches through Jan. 8. The Salvation Army and the Buffalo Bills are participating in the campaign.
Oxford Pennant and the Buffalo Bills partner on victory banners[4]
Reported:
The Buffalo Bills and Oxford Pennant announced a partnership to create custom victory banners for the 2020–2021 season. Oxford Pennant planned to develop designs throughout the season and produce items after Bills wins.
Skyworks named the Buffalo Bills’ official construction equipment rental company[5]
Reported:
Skyworks reached an agreement to become the Buffalo Bills’ Official Construction Equipment Rental Company, with visibility at the stadium and across team media and events.
Sources5 sources
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