The eagerly awaited transition of Primm, Nevada’s gaming and retail ventures from Affinity Gaming to Terrible’s is almost complete, with efforts now concentrated on the reopening of Primm Valley Resort & Casino — the last remaining gaming establishment in the California border town following Buffalo Bill’s closure in July 2025.
Cory Clemetson, the president of Primm South Real Estate Company and grandson of the town’s founder, Ernie Primm, informed KSNV-TV/Las Vegas that the collaboration between Terrible’s and his family has already reinforced community stability. He noted that over 300 jobs were retained during this transition, igniting “a renewed optimism” among employees who have witnessed the town’s economic fluctuations over the past 30 years.
Clemetson shared with KSNV that staff have been diligently cleaning and refurbishing Primm Valley “around the clock,” addressing tasks from wiping down slot machines to preparing kitchens and removing decades of accumulated clutter. Despite the casino’s temporary suspension of operations, employees remain on payroll.
The Primm family has not participated in managing the town’s casinos, hotels, or gas stations since the mid-1990s.
“The enthusiasm is palpable,” Clemetson remarked. “Everyone is eager to contribute, and there’s a strong desire to open as soon as possible.”
No Official Reopening Date
While Terrible’s has yet to specify an exact reopening date for Primm Valley Resort & Casino, the company anticipates a return in the coming weeks.
The rebranding effort by Terrible’s is already established at Primm’s smaller venues, like the Lotto Store, Flying J, and Primm Center, which have remained open.
Clemetson indicated that this new partnership is also ushering in necessary modernization. He commended Terrible’s executives Tim and Troy Herbst for their “innovative, out-of-the-box approach” to a community striving for relevance amidst the northward expansion of Las Vegas and the emergence of tribal casinos in California (notably Pechanga in Temecula, Morongo in Cabazon, and San Manuel/Yaamava in Highland), which have diminished the appeal of traveling to the Nevada border for Southern California gamblers.
Clemetson is optimistic that Primm can once again become an affordable getaway for families from Southern Nevada, pointing to long-term regional planning — including the proposed second Southern Nevada airport intended for 2037 — as a potential accelerator for future development.
“Primm is set for a modernization,” he stated. “It will undergo significant changes.”