Ex Primm, Nev. Casino Operator Feuds with Landlord During Transition

A change in operators at the long‑struggling Primm casino properties escalated into a public feud this week. Former operator Affinity Gaming traded sharply worded statements with the Primm family, which owns the property, over the Fourth of July weekend as Terrible’s formally assumed control.

Affinity, which had operated the three Primm Valley Casino Resorts for 15 years, claimed the family was unwilling to renegotiate its lease despite a downturn in business at the border town’s gaming and retail operations that cost the company $10-$15 million per year for several years.

“(Affinity) determined that the economics of the Primm leasehold interest were no longer viable and the Primm landlord was not willing to reduce the rent to a sustainable amount,” read a statement released by Affinity on Sunday, July 5, the day it handed over the keys to the town to Terrible’s.

In addition, the statement claimed: “Contrary to what has been reported in the press, the discussions between (Affinity) and the Primm landlord… began more than two years ago … in conjunction with a comprehensive third-party valuation process and market outreach.”

Another July 4th Battle

The Primm family clapped back immediately. Cory Clemetson, president of Primm South Real Estate Company and grandson of town founder Ernie Primm, criticized Affinity’s characterization of the negotiations and its decision to exit the market.

“Consider the source,” Clemetson said. “This is the same company that made the ill-advised decision to lay off more than 300 Nevadans on our nation’s 250th anniversary. That would have shut down this crucial gateway to Southern Nevada at the worst possible time, been an embarrassment to our state, and created a tremendous hardship for everyone involved. That’s all you need to know about their credibility.”

Terrible’s, now responsible for the casinos and surrounding businesses, avoided the dispute entirely. In a Monday statement, the company emphasized its partnership with the Primm family and its intention to revive the long‑declining outpost.

They described the takeover as part of a commitment to “Nevadans helping Nevadans” and outlined a phased reopening plan. Terrible’s said it assumed management of the Primm Center, Chevron station, Flying J, Whiskey Pete’s Travel Store, Lotto Store, and Starbucks on July 1, reopening them by July 2.

Gaming Still Closed

Despite hopes that Primm Valley Resort would remain open under new ownership over the weekend to capitalize on the story’s national publicity, it closed on the morning of Friday, July 3, while still under Affinity’s operation, and it remains closed while the new operators undergo necessary regulatory licensing and safety inspections.

“With Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s previously closed by prior operators, Primm Valley Casino was the only casino property that was open prior to our management transition, and our immediate focus is to reopen this property in the coming weeks,” the company said.

Terrible’s added that long‑term redevelopment plans for Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s are still being finalized, and that all employees who wished to stay — roughly 300 people — were retained, with on‑site housing remaining available.

The Herbst family, which operates Terrible’s, previously owned the Primm casinos after acquiring them from MGM Mirage in 2007 for $400 million. Their gaming company later became Affinity Gaming following a 2009 bankruptcy restructuring.