Las Vegas-based Terrible's has reached an agreement with the Primm family to operate its hotel-casino and properties in Primm, saving the town on the border of Nevada and California from going dark July 4 and preserving more than 300 jobs, the family announced early Tuesday.

Terrible's, which was the previous operator of Primm, owns a slot machine route servicing bars and taverns, as well as its chain of Terrible's convenience stores and gasoline stations. The company had acquired the three casinos and other businesses, including restaurants, a truck stop and gasoline stations from MGM Resorts International for $400 million in 2007. 

At the time, the company was known as Herbst Gaming. The company also created a sales outlet for the California State Lottery just across the state line, which has long been one of the top-producing sales locations in California, according to state lottery officials. The store is also expected to remain open. 

Herbst lost the Primm operations in a 2010 bankruptcy reorganization to Z Capital Partners, a New York-based asset management firm, which renamed the operations Affinity Gaming.

In August 2024, Terrible's, a side venture of the Las Vegas-based Terrible Herbst Oil Co., turned its attention back to the area, launching a new lottery business 6 miles south on the east side of Interstate 15. The Chevron gasoline station and convenience store on Yates Well Road has three lottery kiosk machines.

"Primm has long been one of Nevada's most recognizable destinations," Terrible's President Tim Herbst said in a statement. "This partnership reflects our commitment to preserving that legacy while creating new opportunities for growth, investment, and tourism for decades to come. We believe Primm's best days are still ahead."

Last week, Cory Clemetson, the grandson of town founder Ernie Primm and CEO of Primm South Real Estate Co., told The Nevada Independent that the family was seeking a new operator to take over the business. In a statement, he said the family was "delighted to partner with Terrible's and the Herbst family to help our family manage and operate these properties that are so important to Southern Nevada."

Terrible's will have to be licensed by Nevada gaming regulators ahead of July 4 before it can take over the operations. In a statement to The Indy, Gaming Control Board Chairman Mike Dreitzer said the plan is for a special hearing by the board and the Nevada Gaming Commission would take place June 25 to consider an application by Terrible's.

"The Herbst family has a long history as a Nevada gaming licensee," Dreitzer said. "We will do everything we can to help ensure continuity of gaming operations at Primm."

Primm Valley was the last of the three casinos still operating at Primm. Whiskey Pete's has been closed for nearly 18 months and Buffalo Bill's shut down at the end of 2025.

Pilot Co. operates the Flying J travel center at Primm, and Sam Edgmon, vice president of operations business development, said the company will continue to operate the location off Interstate 15.

"We are encouraged by the progress being made toward identifying a long-term solution," Edgmon said in a statement, adding the Primm family was committed "to supporting the community, our team members and drivers who rely on this location."

Clemetson said the Primm and Herbst families want to prevent the closing of Primm Valley Casino Resort and the Oasis Apartments, which house hundreds of employees.

Las Vegas-based Affinity Gaming announced in early May that the last of Primm's three casinos and the related businesses would permanently close. Affinity CEO Scott Butera told the control board last month that Primm is "just not viable as a casino operation." 

Clemetson said, "We're pleased that we were able to secure such a qualified and like-minded partner for our properties at Primm in just over a month after that unfortunate and poorly timed announcement."

He said several "highly qualified operators" expressed interest in partnering with us at Primm. However, Clemetson said the Primm family was "impressed with how the team at Terrible's shared our goals and confidence in the long-term success of Primm."

Clemetson said plans may include property renovations, upgraded traveler amenities, enhanced food and beverage offerings, infrastructure improvements and other investments.