Nevada: Buffalo Bill's casino in Primm reopens after two years; multi-million dollar upgrade plans announced

Nevada's Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino in Primm reopened on Christmas Eve, after being closed since March 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility is one of three casinos operated by Las Vegas-based Affinity Gaming in the community along Interstate 15 at the Nevada-California border.

The company didn't make any formal announcement about the re-opening. Affinity Gaming instead communicated the news on a post on the Primm Valley Resorts Twitter account, saying it was proud "to have the reels spinning again at Buffalo Bill's," adding that "multi-million-dollar upgrades" would be coming to its casinos in 2023. 

Primm Valley Resorts is proud to have the reels spinning again at Buffalo Bill’s full time! We will continue add to our multi- million dollar upgrades in 2023.

— Primm Valley Resorts (@PrimmValley) December 24, 2022

The firm said slot machines and table games were available at the casino, along with the Wagon Wheel Grill restaurant. Officials with the casino confirmed to KSNV that the property’s A-tower is nearing its renovation, and guests will be able to enjoy refreshed gaming options, along with new carpet.

The property's arena will get a new video screen and be open in time for its first show in 2023, which will be Gladis Knight. In addition to the renovations, six to seven restaurants will also be returning, and the buffet will be open with limited availability. The company also stated that they plan to host 20-25 concerts annually, as The Nevada Independent reported.

The Desperado Rollercoaster at Buffalo Bill's remains closed at the time. It was considered one of the world’s tallest roller coasters when it opened in 1994, with a height of 209 feet and a drop of 225 feet, with a portion of the track running through the casino.

Affinity, then known as Herbst Gaming, acquired the three Primm casinos – Buffalo Bill's, Primm Valley, and Whiskey Pete's – from MGM Resorts in 2007 for $400 million. Herbst Gaming filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy two years later.

The company was rebranded as Affinity Gaming in 2011 following the bankruptcy reorganization. Affinity is now owned by Illinois-based Z Capital Group, which took Affinity private in 2017. In 2019, Mary Beth Higgins was named CEO.

Affinity operates five casinos in Nevada – the three Primm properties, Silver Sevens in Las Vegas, and Rail City in Sparks. The company also owns two casinos in Missouri and a casino in Iowa.