Once-packed Nevada resort deteriorates into ghost town as final hotel closes

For years, the desert town of Primm was the sort of place that people stopped at on the long drive between California and Las Vegas.

They would grab some cheap food, lose a few dollars on the slots and realise that road trips between the two cities are rarely as exciting as Hunter S. Thompson made out.

Even so, there was always something lively going on over in Primm. Now, though? The place is almost silent.

Cue the tumbleweeds.

The final hotel and casino still operating at the Nevada border resort has just announced that it’s shutting down this summer, reported by 8 News Now, effectively turning the once-busy gambling stop of Primm into America’s latest ghost town.

Primm Valley Resorts reportedly confirmed to workers that operations there will end on July 4. Staff living at the nearby Desert Oasis Apartments were also told that they must all move out by July 6 after their leases were all terminated.

Workers were told they wouldn’t need to make any further rent payments during the final weeks before closure. Which is at least one less bill for them to worry about while their workplace and town disappears around them.

In a letter obtained by local news outlets, Affinity Gaming’s chief people officer Chantelle Mark said: ‘We recognize this is an extraordinarily difficult time, and we are deeply grateful for the dedication each of you has brought to the Primm Valley Casino Resorts property.’

The company also said it would work with Nevada’s Rapid Response Team to help staff access government support and employment assistance once the closures begin. It’s still unclear how many workers will be affected.

Alongside Primm Valley Resorts, several nearby properties owned by Primadonna Company LLC are also shutting their doors for good. That includes the Primm Center and Flying J truck stop located along Interstate 15.

Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino had already been scaled back significantly last year. In July 2025 it stopped operating as a full-time casino and switched to an events-only setup linked to concerts at the Star of the Desert Arena.

Primm’s other semi-famous hangout – Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino – shut down entirely in December 2024.

That means that by July, one of the most recognisable gambling pit stops on the Vegas approach will largely be reduced to just a huge plot of empty buildings and fading signs in the desert heat.

It’s yet another sad testament to the fading glamour and popularity of Las Vegas and its surrounds.

It’s quite the fall from grace for a place that once thrived by offering cheaper gambling than the giant casino resorts further down the road in Las Vegas.

Primm built its reputation on catching drivers before they hit The Strip. A sort of ‘Vegas starts here’ taster with lower stakes and considerably fewer $30 frozen cocktails.

But things changed after the Covid-19 pandemic hammered tourism across Nevada. Visitor numbers dropped sharply during lockdown periods and some smaller casino destinations never really recovered from it all.

At the same time, gambling stopped being something people had to travel to Nevada for. Casinos have expanded across the US in recent years including in states such as California and New York, creating fresh competition for destinations that once relied on being unique.

Somewhat weirdly, the closure news arrived just days after upbeat social media posts from Primm Valley Resorts showing packed gaming floors and jackpot winners. One Facebook post claimed guests were enjoying ‘thrilling jackpots and unforgettable moments’.

Another post from April celebrated a player winning a $10,598 jackpot on a Dragon Link slot machine. The casino proudly added: ‘It’s been a winning weekend, and we’re open 24/7 to keep the excitement going.’

The wider casino industry has also been trying to reinvent itself as younger visitors drift away from traditional gambling holidays. In Las Vegas, some casinos have already begun replacing human dealers with electronic gaming systems.

Last October, in a real sign of the times moment, the Golden Gate Casino switched to an entirely virtual gaming floor. The venue pushed a new marketing campaign aimed at tourists, locals and Gen-Z visitors under the slogan ‘The Night Starts Here’.

Casino owner Derek Stevens said the strategy first appeared during the pandemic but only started gaining real attention later on. It’s one of several attempts to modernise parts of Las Vegas as operators try to pull visitors back in and desperately try to stay relevant and – crucially – open.

Primm now finds itself on the opposite side of that story. While some cities dream about casinos bringing crowds and money back, this one’s, sadly, preparing to switch the lights off entirely.

The chips are well and truly down for Primm, Nevada.