Nevada regulators have approved Terrible’s Gaming as the new operator of the Primm resort complex, ensuring border casino communities remain open and avoid closure in the near future.
The decision was made after a hearing by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and later confirmed by the Nevada Gaming Commission with a 5-0 vote. The approval paves the way for Terrible’s to take over operations from Affinity Gaming, which plans to cease activities at the property.
The licensing process was completed in an accelerated time due to the urgency of the situation. Regulators issued the one-year license, giving the operator time to stabilize operations while developing a long-term plan for the site located along Interstate 15 on the Nevada-California border.
Council officials described the intervention as necessary to prevent the area going dark on July 4, which is a key travel period for the area.
Job preservation and reopening plans drive the transition
A key element of the agreement is the preservation of more than 300 jobs associated with Primm properties. Terrible’s has begun hiring staff ahead of the operational transition and confirmed continued employment and housing support for workers at the resort community.
Tim Herbst, president of Terrible’s, said the company began discussions after learning of the planned closure. He stated that his goal was to support the Primm family and the workforce.
“We felt it was our duty to call the Primm family and see if there was anything we could do to help these employees stay employed.” Herbst said.
He also said the company had recruited around 300 employees in preparation for the transition.
Terrible’s is expected to take over operational control in early July, with service stations projected to reopen first, particularly ahead of the Fourth of July travel period. A timetable for reopening casinos has not yet been determined, although a phased reopening of casinos is being considered.
Future uses of the casino property are still under review
Plans for each property are still in the early stages. Buffalo Bill’s may reopen at any time for special events, while portions of Whiskey Pete’s are also being evaluated for limited use. Regulatory approval will depend on an assessment of life and infrastructure safety, including considerations such as whether major attractions such as the Desperado rollercoaster can be operated safely.
Herbst emphasized that initial efforts will focus on stabilizing operations rather than immediate rebuilding.
“It’s a short-term vision first and a long-term vision second,” he said.
He also noted that infrastructure and safety assessments will determine how quickly various parts of the resort can return to operation.
The strategic importance of Primm’s location
The Primm resort cluster is located in one of Nevada’s busiest travel corridors, with millions of vehicles passing annually along Interstate 15. Terrible’s has highlighted the importance of its strategic location as a gateway to Las Vegas.
Herbst pointed to the long-term development potential related to transportation and regional growth, while emphasizing that the top priority remains operational continuity and employment.
“This is the gateway to Las Vegas and the worst thing in the world would happen if it closed and those travelers or tourists showed up there and it was dark and they ran out of gas,” he said, according to The Nevada Independent.
The Primm family, which owns the land and leases the operation to Terrible’s, also expressed support for the transition, citing job preservation and community stability as key outcomes.
Terrible’s Gaming, part of the Terrible Herbst group, operates convenience stores, gas stations and gaming properties in several US states. The company previously operated Primm’s casino between 2007 and 2010 before losing control during bankruptcy proceedings.
The current agreement marks the return of the property more than a decade later. Regulators and company executives described the deal as a stabilizing step for a region facing uncertainty following Affinity Gaming’s planned exit.
Affinity previously indicated that Primm was no longer viable as a casino operation, requiring a new operator to prevent closure.
The next phase for the Primm community
With guaranteed licensing, Terrible’s now faces the challenge of restoring full operations across the property which includes casinos, service stations, retail outlets and entertainment facilities.
While immediate efforts focus on reopening key services, longer-term development options are still under evaluation, including potential infrastructure improvements and expanded visitor offerings.
Regulators will continue to monitor the transition in the one-year permit structure, and future approval is contingent on operational performance and compliance.
For now, the decision ensures that the Primm resort community remains active, retaining jobs and sustaining operations at one of Nevada’s most visible entry points.
