Terrible’s Takes Over Primm Properties After Casino Closure

PRIMM, Nev.: Terrible’s will take over management of Primm properties on July 1 after Primm Valley Resort and Casino closed June 29.

The change gives the Nevada border town a new operator after months of uncertainty over jobs, housing and the future of its remaining casino operations.

Primm Valley Resort and Casino closed June 29, ending Affinity Gaming’s management of the property. The shutdown came just before Terrible’s began operations in Primm, with the transition expected to preserve jobs and keep residents in company-managed apartments.

Primm Valley Closes Ahead of Takeover

The closure marked another turning point for Primm, a small community at the Nevada-California border that has seen its casino economy decline sharply. The town was once home to three open casinos, a functioning mall and two championship golf courses, but its tourism base has weakened over time.

The closure also came earlier than previously expected. Primm Valley had been described as the last full-time casino in Primm set to close July 4, but the property shut down on June 29 ahead of the management change.

Visitors noticed the decline as the transition approached. Tourist David Lyle, who visited with his family, described the property as “a rundown casino” and said he saw “a lot of closed-down machines and games but some neat people”.

Those employees were among 344 workers still employed under Affinity Gaming before the takeover. Some also faced uncertainty over housing because the apartments used by workers are managed by the same company tied to the properties.

Jobs and Housing Central to Transition

The transition drew attention from residents and visitors because of the possible impact on workers and their families. Frequent Primm visitor Yvette Carsten started a GoFundMe to raise rent money for families who were at risk of losing apartments during the changeover.

Carsten said workers were anxious before the takeover because some believed they had limited time to find new housing or new jobs. After the management change, she said she was working on refunding the money raised because the immediate housing risk appeared to have eased.

She also said she spoke with an employee who was optimistic about the new operator. The employee told her that the new management team was expected to care about workers during the transition.

Terrible’s Gaming said its next focus is a seamless transition for travelers, truck drivers, guests, business partners and the communities that rely on the Primm properties. The company said teams were working to minimize disruptions, maintain essential services and reopen businesses as quickly and safely as possible during the transition.

Could Primm Casinos Reopen?

The takeover raises questions about whether Terrible’s will try to reopen more of Primm’s shuttered casino assets. Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s have been central to Primm’s casino identity, but the town’s gaming and tourism infrastructure has thinned considerably.

Amanda Belarmino, an associate professor at UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality, said local ownership could help Primm rebound. She said a company that knows the area may be better positioned to understand what the properties need.

Belarmino said she expects an effort to reopen Whiskey Pete’s or Buffalo Bill’s if Terrible’s is serious about its investment. She said Terrible’s is a savvy company and that its strategy could determine whether Primm can rebuild part of its casino economy.

For Primm, the takeover does not immediately solve every challenge. The town still faces a reduced visitor base, an abandoned mall and closed resort assets, but the arrival of Terrible’s gives the market a new operating path after the closure of its last full-time casino.

RELATED TOPICS: Las Vegas