Primm, Nevada Casinos

You can find plenty of blackjack, slots, and other casino action on the California/Nevada border at Primm, Nevada. The small burg is located less than an hour away from Las Vegas and houses three large casinos. Downtown Los Angeles, California is 225 miles away, west through Barstow, all along open, well-maintained highway 15.

Primm sits at an elevation of 2618 feet and is part of Clark County, Nevada. The community is not a census-designated place, but the population is approximately 1,100. The tiny stop on the highway was originally known as State Line, not much more than a spot on the LA freeway. During Prohibition in the 1920's, Pete MacIntyre ran a gas station there, his income supplemented by bootleg liquor he cooked a dozen miles away.

When interstate highway 15 was built, MacIntyre convinced Nevada's State Legislature to build an off-ramp to his business enterprises. Ernest Jay "Ernie" Primm, who owned the Rainbow Club in Gardena, California, traveled the road often to Reno, Nevada where he owned the Palace Club and the Primmadonna casino. He purchased the tiny slot bar with a huge facade and renamed it Whiskey Pete's, in honor of Pete MacIntyre.

In 1996, the town was renamed Primm, to reduce the confusion with Stateline, Nevada - found at the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Primm passed away in 1981, but the town named after him has grown to encompass more than casinos. Apartments have replaced the trailers that housed employees for so long, and Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas provides plenty of shopping.

All three casinos at Primm Valley are owned by Affinity Gaming, which has properties in Nevada, Iowa, and Missouri. Whiskey Pete's is the oldest casino at Primm. The hotel features 777 rooms. Dining includes McDonald's and International House of Pancakes.

The casino is 36,400 square feet and includes a 40-seat race and sports book. There are 600 slot machines to chose from and table games. Games include Blackjack, Craps, Keno, Let-It-Ride, Mini-Baccarat, and Spanish 21.

Buffalo Bill's hotel has 1,242 rooms. Amenities include refrigerators in the rooms, internet access (for a fee), and a fitness club. Dining choices include a buffet, Haagen-Dazs, Panda Express, Cross Roads BBQ, La Salsa, Denny's, and Ramon Ayala's Cocina and Cantina.

The casino is 46,000 square feet with 1,000 slot machines. A 40-seat race and sports is surrounded by table games, which include Blackjack, Craps, Keno, Let-It-Ride, Mini-Baccarat, and Spanish 21.

The Primm Valley Resort has 624 rooms and features a spa and the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas connected to the resort. Dining choices are GP's Steakhouse, The Original Pancake House, O'Mulligans Pub, Country Club Buffet, Rosie's Pizzeria, and the Coffee Corner.

The casino has 900 slots with favorites like Wheel of Fortune,Paradise Fishing,Megabucks,Cash Wizard,Hangover,Sex in the City,Vegas Hits,Millionaire 7's and Tarzan. Tables games include Blackjack, Craps, Keno, Let-It-Ride, Mini-Baccarat, and Spanish 21.

Other attractions at Primm Valley Resorts are the 21,000-sq. ft. conference center, Star of the Desert Arena - a 31,280-sq. ft. facility that seats 6,000, and Whiskey Pete's Showroom, a 700-seat auditorium. Two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses are nearby.

Buffalo Bill's Zone Arcade is open everyday for children of all ages with favorites like a roller-coaster, water flume ride, Turbo drop and others. Rides are open Friday-Sunday only. You can check on hours at 1.800.FUN.STOP.