This week, a change in management at the historically troubled Primm casino properties has ignited a public dispute. Former operator Affinity Gaming exchanged pointed remarks with the Primm family, who owns the properties, over the Fourth of July weekend as Terrible’s officially took over.
Affinity, which managed the three Primm Valley Casino Resorts for 15 years, stated that the Primm family was unreceptive to renegotiating the lease, even as the gaming and retail sectors in the border town faced significant declines, costing the company between $10 to $15 million annually for an extended period.
“(Affinity) concluded that the economics surrounding the Primm lease were no longer sustainable and that the landlord from Primm was not open to lowering the rent to a manageable level,” stated Affinity on July 5, the same day they transferred ownership to Terrible’s.
Furthermore, the company noted: “Contrary to media reports, discussions between (Affinity) and the Primm landlord began over two years ago… as part of a thorough third-party valuation and market outreach.”
Another July 4th Dispute
The Primm family quickly fired back. Cory Clemetson, president of Primm South Real Estate Company and grandson of the town’s founder, Ernie Primm, challenged Affinity’s depiction of the negotiations and its choice to withdraw from the market.
“Take their statements with caution,” said Clemetson. “This is the same enterprise that poorly chose to lay off over 300 Nevadans during our nation’s 250th anniversary, threatening to close this essential gateway to Southern Nevada at the least opportune moment. It would have been a disgrace for our state and posed severe challenges to everyone involved. That speaks volumes about their credibility.”
Terrible’s, now in charge of the casinos and surrounding establishments, stayed out of the quarrel entirely. In a statement issued on Monday, the company highlighted its collaboration with the Primm family and its goal to revitalize the long-declining site.
They framed the takeover as part of their dedication to “Nevadans helping Nevadans” and presented a phased reopening strategy. Terrible’s indicated that it took over management of the Primm Center, Chevron station, Flying J, Whiskey Pete’s Travel Store, Lotto Store, and Starbucks on July 1, reopening these facilities by July 2.
Gaming Still Closed
Despite hopes that Primm Valley Resort would stay operational under new ownership over the weekend to take advantage of the story’s national exposure, it closed on the morning of July 3 while still under Affinity’s management. It will remain shut during the necessary regulatory licensing and safety inspections required by the new operators.
“With Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s already closed by previous management, Primm Valley Casino was the sole casino property available before our takeover, and our immediate priority is to reopen this establishment within the coming weeks,” the company stated.
Terrible’s added that plans for the long-term redevelopment of Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s are still being finalized, and all employees wishing to remain—approximately 300 individuals—were retained, with on-site housing continuing to be offered.
The Herbst family, which runs Terrible’s, previously owned the Primm casinos after purchasing them from MGM Mirage in 2007 for $400 million. Their gaming enterprise subsequently became Affinity Gaming following a bankruptcy restructuring in 2009.