Whiskey Pete's Casino in Primm, Nevada, is permanently closing its doors after 47 years of operation. The iconic 16-story castle-shaped property, which opened in 1977 with 777 rooms, 31 table games, and 1,360 slots, will cease operations by the end of 2024.

The closure marks another blow to Primm's struggling casino industry. The property, owned by Affinity Gaming, has stopped accepting online reservations. Buffalo Bill's Casino is expected to follow, currently operating only Friday through Sunday.

The casino's namesake, Peter McIntyre, was a controversial figure who ran a gas station on the property in the late 1920s. Known for bootlegging during Prohibition, McIntyre had multiple run-ins with the law before dying in a sanitarium in 1933.

Primm's decline has been ongoing for two decades, with the pandemic delivering a severe impact. The area's 371,000-square-foot outlet mall now stands empty, and the once-popular amusement park at Buffalo Bill's closed in 2019. Affinity Gaming plans to focus its resources on Primm Valley Resort & Casino, which will receive additional investment and upgrades, including a new Denny's restaurant.

The closure reflects broader challenges facing border casino properties and marks the end of an era for this landmark destination between Las Vegas and Southern California.

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