The Primm family, landowners of the iconic border community at the California-Nevada state line, say they are days away from announcing a new operator for the hotels, casinos, and other amenities at Primm. The announcement would follow Affinity Gaming‘s decision to discontinue operations at the properties effective July 4.
Cory Clemetson, president of Primm landowner Primm South and grandson of founder Ernie Primm, said several prospective partners have made proposals, and they are familiar names with a record of success in Nevada. “We’ve narrowed it down to a few groups, all of which have a lot of experience in the gaming and hotel arena,” Clemetson said. “They would be very well thought of by many people within the gaming industry.”
Affinity, which operates The Primadonna Company, announced on May 5 its intent to close all amenities at Primm, including the last remaining open hotel, Primm Valley Resort. The other two properties — Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s — had already been operating intermittently, opening only for concert events at the Star of the Desert Arena within Buffalo Bill’s.
At a May 21 meeting, the Nevada Gaming Control Board learned details of the shutdown. Affinity CEO Scott Butera told regulators that LV Petroleum LLC, a company operating 84 truck stops in 34 states including three in Nevada, expressed interest in taking over the properties. Clemetson did not indicate whether the LV Petroleum proposal is among the finalists.
The primary concern, Clemetson said, is ensuring the more than 300 employees still working at Primm retain their jobs during the transition. “The Primm family will be much more involved than it has been in the past,” he added, noting the family has not operated the casinos in 30 years but intends to take a more active role going forward.
The long-term outlook for Primm is bolstered by the planned Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport in the Ivanpah Valley, north of Primm. The environmental impact statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment are being drafted by the FAA and Bureau of Land Management, with final approval expected in March 2028.
“Everyone talks about the coming airport, but we don’t know exactly when that’s going to open,” Clemetson said. “But if you assume it’s 10 or 12 years, about five or six years before that, they’ll start to be a lot of construction. And we think those buildings could be open and doing really well.”
The family will retain ownership of the fast-food restaurants and electric car charging facility at Primm, ensuring those amenities remain operational during the transition.
