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State of Play’s TL;DR
- Nevada regulators approved a one-year license for Terrible’s to take over gaming operations in Primm, NV.
- The move keeps a key gateway stop to Las Vegas running and preserves more than 300 jobs.
What Happened
The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a one-year license for Terrible’s on a 5-0 vote to take over operations of the casinos in Primm, NV.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board had recommended Terrible’s for licensing to avoid a potential shutdown of gaming in the city on July 4.
Terrible’s, the Las Vegas-based operator owned by the Herbst family, is stepping in after Affinity Gaming planned to exit the Primm properties. Earlier this month, the Primm family signed a lease agreement with Terrible’s to operate the properties. It was a deal described as saving more than 300 jobs.
Three LLCs owned by Herbst family trusts applied for non-restricted gaming licenses, along with manufacturer and distributor licenses. Tim Herbst will manage the new entities: Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino, Primm Valley Resort & Casino, and Whiskey Pete’s Casino.
William Hill remains the licensed sportsbook at the properties.
Board Chair Mike Dreitzer called the outcome “a success story for Nevada and Primm.”
Tim Herbst framed the urgency more bluntly:
“It’s the gateway to Las Vegas, and the worst thing in the world would be if that place was shut down and those travelers or tourists show up there and it’s dark and out of fuel.”
Priority is to keep casinos operating for now
This approval highlights how licensing decisions can stabilize an entire regional gaming hub. Primm sits on the Nevada-California border, making it a high-visibility stop for travelers heading into Las Vegas.
For operators, the message is practical: regulators were willing to move quickly to avoid a closure that could have disrupted casino floors, a sportsbook, fuel stations, and surrounding businesses. Terrible’s said 300 employees had been onboarded as of Thursday, underscoring how operational continuity was central to the case.
The near-term plan is also measured, not flashy. Immediate capital improvements will be limited to life-safety work. That suggests the first priority is keeping the properties functional rather than rolling out a splashy relaunch. That matters because Buffalo Bill’s has been open only sporadically since July 2025 for weekend concerts. Affinity shuttered Whiskey Pete’s casino in December 2024.
Based on reporting by Buck Wargo for CDC Gaming.
