If you've ever made the burn between Vegas and LA on Interstate 15, you have likely noticed an oasis of casinos and a roller coaster in a dry lake bed on the state line between California and Nevada. You may have even stopped for a quick slot pull and a lottery ticket.
Rising from the dry lake bed is Primm, Nevada, formerly State Line, and it is — or was — a rest stop unlike any other. The casinos are now either closed or on their last chance, and the roller coaster has been shuttered, but you can still find some small town gambling off of Exit 1.
If you are coming from Los Angeles, it is one of the last chances you have to gamble before you arrive in the Gambling Capital of the World. If you are leaving Las Vegas, it's your last shot to break even before you return to California. If you are somewhere in between, it's a place to grab lottery tickets for Nevada residents, where such things are illegal.
We took a trip out to Primm to see the sights and get an update. What is closed? What is left to do in the middle of the desert?
Whiskey Pete's no more
The town of Primm is named for Ernest Primm, whose family built a small desert empire from a small hotel on the state line. The first of their three casinos, Whiskey Pete's, opened in 1977 and eventually expanded up to 777 hotel rooms and over 34,000 square feet of gaming space.
Whiskey Pete's was closed in 2024, likely to consolidate operations with the two casinos across the highway, Primm Valley Resort and Buffalo Bill's. The monorail that connected the properties and allowed patrons to cross the highway is also closed.
Buffalo Bill's, however, is not closed. It joins Primm Valley Resort across the highway and still welcomes patrons around the clock. The Desperado roller coaster, once the tallest in the world, is shut down, and it's not coming back. An Adventure Canyon Log Flume water ride that winds throughout the property is also out of operation, leaving just the flume and no water.
Many of the restaurants that once dotted the edges of Buffalo Bill's are closed and a lone diner remains with additional options on weekends. The arena still hosts events, though the programming now focuses primarily on a Spanish-speaking audience. The casino itself still retains its Old West theme, with admirable dedication throughout the property. It's a throwback to when a casino's theme mattered, and no detail was too small. Come for the casino and stay for the Bonnie and Clyde murder car.
The Lotto Store
Nearby, an outlet mall is almost completely dead, save for a giant thrift store occupying what was once anchor tenant space. But the highlight of the trip, and the draw for most Nevada residents, is The Lotto Store.
The lottery is banned by Nevada's state constitution, and despite efforts throughout the years to introduce it, the state is unlikely to compete for gambling customers with its top industry. Primm is the closest opportunity for Nevadans to get in on a giant jackpot, and the lines get very long when the prize gets massive. The Lotto Store has several machines for scratch-offs and an orderly queue for when the crowds show up.
A few other gas stations and fast food restaurants are thriving in Primm, but its casino culture appears to be on the way out. Consider a stop the next time you are shuttling between LA and Las Vegas. It's still a charming oasis, and most rest stops don't have a casino.
