Terrible Herbst Reunites with Primm Family in Primm Valley Casino Venture

• The Herbst family’s company, Terrible’s, is partnering with the Primm family to take over the operations of the Primm Valley Resort and Casino, preventing the facility’s scheduled closure on July 4
• This deal intends to reverse the planned shutdown announced by Affinity Gaming, which had deemed the properties unviable and slated 344 employees for termination and corporate-housing tenants for eviction
• The partnership marks a reunion between the families, who hope to revitalize the struggling border town 

Terrible’s, the Las Vegas‑based gas‑station and convenience‑store company owned by the Herbst family, is partnering with the Primm family on new plans to operate Primm Valley Resort — the only casino still open in the border town of Primm, Nev. after years of property closures.

The Primm family announced the partnership in a statement Tuesday morning (June 9).

Corey Clemetson, president of Primm South Real Estate, which owns the land beneath the Primm properties, said he was “delighted to partner with Terrible’s and the Herbst family to help our family manage and operate these properties that are so important to Southern Nevada, our economy and the people who live, work and play at Primm.”

Clemetson is the grandson of Primm founder Ernie Primm, whose family has owned hundreds of acres on the Nevada–California border along today’s Interstate 15 since the 1950s.

“Our families have a lot in common and share the same goals for Primm,” Clemetson said. “Although we were grateful for all the highly qualified operators that expressed interest in partnering with us at Primm, we were impressed with how the team at Terrible’s shared our goals and confidence in the long‑term success of Primm.”

Family Reunion

Herbst Gaming — a separate Herbst family company — purchased Primm Valley Resort, Whiskey Pete’s, and Buffalo Bill’s from MGM Resorts for $400 million in 2007. A 2009 bankruptcy transferred those properties to creditors who rebranded the company as Affinity Gaming in 2011.

In December 2024, Affinity — owned by New York–based Z Capital Partners — shuttered Whiskey Pete’s, and in July 2025 it shifted Buffalo Bill’s to event-only operations.

Last month, Affinity announced plans to close Primm Valley Resort, the Lotto Store across the border in California, and a gas station and truck stop after July 4, 2026, leaving 344 employees out of work.

The company also said it would cease operating the Oasis Apartments, its company housing unit, requiring all tenants to vacate by July 6, 2026.

Affinity told state gaming regulators last month that Primm was no longer viable under its management and that it was working with the landlord on a transition.

In Tuesday’s announcement, Clemetson said the Primm and Herbst families would do “everything possible” to keep Primm Valley Casino Resort, the Lotto Store, the apartments, and the fuel and truck-stop operations from closing on July 4.

“We believe Primm has a bright future and look forward to working together for years to come to modernize, energize and enhance our properties there,” he said.

The statement also promised future renovations, upgraded amenities, and enhanced food and beverage offerings.