The small Nevada border town of Primm is approaching a major transition as the Primm family searches for new operators for its hotels and casinos. Affinity Gaming, which currently manages several properties for the family, announced in May it would close most of its leased assets by July 4, including Primm Valley Resort, Buffalo Bill’s, and Whiskey Pete’s.
Cory Clemetson, president of Primm South and grandson of founder Ernie Primm, confirmed that multiple prospective partners have presented proposals to run the resorts and surrounding amenities. “We met them very early in the process, behind the scenes and out of the public eye, and we’ve had several meetings with really what many would consider top tier, you know, longtime successful Nevada hotel-casino operators,” he said, as reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal. Clemetson indicated an announcement could come within a week.
Potential Operators and Transition Plans
Among the interested parties is Las Vegas-based LV Petroleum, which operates over 80 travel centers and convenience stores nationwide. CEO Kris Roach shared plans to manage the hotels, casinos, stores, and related facilities, describing a vision to “revive the whole exit.” However, Clemetson emphasized that no deal has been finalized, cautioning that reports of imminent agreements are “overstated and premature.”
The Primm family intends to retain control over certain amenities, such as fast-food outlets and an electric vehicle charging station, ensuring these remain open under any new management arrangement. Clemetson highlighted the family’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, stating, “We’re in with our lawyers in active discussions on finalizing the terms, and figuring out what ultimately makes the most sense.”
Long-Term Outlook Linked to Nevada Airport
Primm’s long-term prospects are tied in part to the planned Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport in the Ivanpah Valley. The project is currently under environmental review, with final approvals anticipated in March 2028. Clemetson expects construction activity to generate increased traffic and potential business growth in Primm over the next several years. “If you assume it’s 10 years, 12 years, whatever, about five years 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, and that would obviously improve business out there,” he said.
The Primm family, which has served as landlord for the past three decades, plans to be more actively involved in operations under the new partnerships. With 344 employees affected by the upcoming closures, selecting the right operator is critical to stabilizing the workforce and positioning Primm for renewed success as a gateway to Nevada for travelers from Southern California.