Primm Family Saves Nevada Casino Town, Rescues 344 Jobs

The Primm family pulled off a rescue mission that saved 344 jobs and preserved a piece of Nevada history just hours before their last casino was set to close forever.

Three casino resorts in Primm, Nevada sat on the brink of becoming a ghost town this July 4. The properties, operated by Affinity Interactive for 15 years, were deemed "not viable" as casino operations and scheduled to shut down completely.

But the Primm family refused to let their grandfather's legacy die. Working around the clock, they signed a partnership deal with Las Vegas-based Terrible's to take over operations and keep the doors open.

"We're pleased that we were able to secure such a qualified and like-minded partner," said Cory Clemetson, grandson of Primm's founder and president of the Primm South Real Estate Company. The agreement means workers won't lose their paychecks during what should be a celebratory holiday.

Primm has been a budget-friendly alternative to Las Vegas since the 1970s. Families stopped by for affordable fun, including a roller coaster, Coney Island-style hot dogs, and classic casino entertainment.

The town fell on hard times in recent years. Whiskey Pete's closed in December 2024, followed by Buffalo Bill's Resort limiting operations to special events only. Together, the closures threatened 624 hotel rooms and 46,000 square feet of entertainment space.

Clemetson said his grandfather would have been "outraged" by the idea of laying off hundreds of employees on Independence Day. "We hope our new operator will be able to transition in a much more responsible way for the hardworking paycheck-to-paycheck employees that have really given their lives to Primm," he said.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue goes beyond saving jobs today. Primm sits at the crossroads of major change, with the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport scheduled to break ground near the town by 2029 and open by 2035.

"Primm will have an advantage that very few Las Vegas casinos even today have," Clemetson explained. The Herbst family, which runs Terrible's, plans property renovations, upgraded amenities, better food options, and infrastructure improvements.

Tim Herbst, president of Terrible's, believes in the town's comeback story. "Primm has long been one of Nevada's most recognizable destinations," he said. "We believe Primm's best days are still ahead."

For families who stopped by as kids and remember racing on that roller coaster or grabbing those famous dollar hot dogs, Primm gets a second chance to create new memories.