Full Breakdown
Affinity Interactive Transfers Primm Valley Casino Resorts to Terrible’s Amid Cash-Drain Concerns
7/7/2026, 12:40:58 PM
Closure and Transfer of Primm Operations
Affinity Interactive’s subsidiary, The Primadonna Company, completed the hand-over of its three Primm hotel-casino properties—Whiskey Pete’s, Buffalo Bill’s, and Primm Valley Resort—as well as the Primm Center gas station, Flying J fueling stop, and a nearby Lotto store. The transition to the landlord, Terrible’s (owned by the Herbst family), was finalized on July 5, 2026, after a planned midnight hand-over on July 4. Affinity announced that 344 employees would lose their jobs, while Terrible’s subsequently retained approximately 300 staff members who chose to remain.
Historical Background of Primm Ownership
The three casino properties were purchased by Herbst Gaming for $400 million in 2007. Following the 2008-09 recession, Herbst Gaming filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and re-emerged as Affinity Gaming in 2011 under new leadership. Affinity has previously described its relationship with the Herbst family as collaborative during the bankruptcy restructuring. Over the past decade, Affinity closed Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s temporarily, later confirming permanent closures.
Key Stakeholders
- Affinity Interactive / The Primadonna Company – former operator and lessee.
- Terrible’s (Herbst family) – current landlord and incoming operator.
- Cory Clemetson – president of Primm South Real Estate Company, representing the landowner group.
- Nevada Gaming Control Board – regulator thanked by Affinity for its guidance.
Financial Impact and Employment Losses
Affinity characterized the Primm leasehold as a “cash drain” of roughly $10 million to $15 million per year for many years. The company cited the lack of a “commercially rational basis” for continued investment. The closure eliminated 344 positions, though Terrible’s reported that 100 % of the 300 employees who opted to stay were retained and that on-site employee housing remained open. The outlet mall, once 99 % occupied in 2007 and among the nation’s top ten outlet centers, now hosts a single retailer.
Official Statements & Responses
- Affinity Interactive released a statement that the economics of the Primm lease were “no longer viable,” the landlord would not lower rent to a “sustainable amount,” and that shutting the operation was a “prudent business decision.” The company also expressed appreciation for the Nevada Gaming Control Board and wished the Herbst family success.
- Terrible’s announced a “near-term commitment to ‘Nevadans helping Nevadans’,” confirming full retention of willing staff, continued employee housing, and plans to reopen Primm Valley Casino in the coming weeks, with longer-term strategies for Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s still under development.
- Cory Clemetson issued a rebuttal, disputing Affinity’s cash-drain assessment and questioning the former tenant’s credibility based on prior large-scale layoffs.
Criticism & Opposition
Clemetson highlighted Affinity’s earlier decision to lay off more than 300 Nevada workers on the nation’s 250th anniversary, labeling it an “ill-advised” move that “shut down this crucial gateway to Southern Nevada at the worst possible time.” He suggested the company’s credibility was compromised, implying that the cash-drain narrative served its own interests.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Affinity did not disclose the exact rent amount paid for the Primm sites.
- The company’s letter to state officials omitted a specific rationale for the mass shutdown.
- While Affinity cited a $10-$15 million annual loss, no independent verification of that figure is provided.
- The precise timeline for reopening Primm Valley Casino remains unspecified beyond “the coming weeks.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Consider the source,” said Cory Clemetson, president of Primm South Real Estate Company. “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’s all you need to know about their credibility.”
- “It’s unfortunate that the Primm location has become obsolete and the Primm landlord did not work with TPC on an economically rational solution,” said an Affinity spokesperson.
- “a cash drain of approximately $10-15 million per year for many years,” Affinity Interactive stated.
- “no commercially rational basis to continue investing in the property or to financially support its continued operations.” the company added.
- “We are pleased to announce that once we were allowed to meet with Primm employees, Terrible’s offered every team member employment, and of those who wished to remain, Terrible’s retained and onboarded 100% - approximately 300 people.” the new operator announced.
Future Outlook
Terrible’s plans to reopen Primm Valley Casino within weeks, while evaluating investment, infrastructure upgrades, and new amenities for the site. Long-term redevelopment of Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s remains under consideration, with the landlord emphasizing a sustainable growth strategy for the gateway community.
