The CEO of the two casinos that operate in Primm on the Nevada-California border is excited about the prospect of a new airport being built in southern Nevada.
The Commission licensed Affinity Interactive CEO Scott Butera, a former investment banker and commissioner of the Arena Football League, who has worked for Trump Entertainment and MGM Resorts International where he helped set up BetMGM.
Butera provided more information than he did at the February Gaming Control Board meeting about the future of Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino, which closed in December after 47 years.
Affinity operates the Silver Sevens Casino in Las Vegas and Primm Valley Resort & Casino and Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino.
“We are in the process of doing a major repositioning in Primm,” Butera said. “Primm is an historic place and for decades it’s been a gateway for southern Californians to Nevada. We want to restore that.”
Butera said they’re repositioning their Primm Valley hotel by adding national brands, since the ownership group is involved in a number of restaurant concepts.
The operator is also improving its travel centers by building a $4 million marquee that will show off the property and advertise Las Vegas businesses. They’ve also invested $5 million to $6 million in slot products.
Affinity owns about 15 acres out of 200 and leases land from the Primm family.
Primm was once a destination resort for southern Californians, who now have their own tribal casinos. Butera said at one time three large casinos were needed, but “that time has passed” and a better application for the Whiskey Pete’s property is now being studied, including retail or entertainment. The two casinos across the freeway remain.
“We have 50,000 cars a day that pass by and the idea is to cater to travelers on long drives, not only to get gas or recharge their car, but have something nice to eat and have fun at the casino before they move on,” Butera said. “On the weekends, we’ve been very successful at the 6,000-seat arena, with primarily Latin acts, which there seems to be a demand for. Between what we’ll be doing to add to our travel centers and improve the Primm Valley resort with food and beverage concepts with national brands and continuing to focus on entertainment on the weekends, it will be a good step for Primm. Longer term, if the (Ivanpah) airport were ever developed, you could have housing and logistics centers out there. The future is pretty interesting for that property.”
Commissioner Brian Krolicki said the airport would be next to the properties and called that exciting, since the Harry Reid International Airport needs some relief if Las Vegas’ economic engine continues. “You’re the first thing they see and now they’ll be looking at a new sign. It’s unique and I think the food and beverage options (will help).”
Elsewhere, the Commission granted licenses to Christopher Joy, general manager of Boyd Gaming’s Orleans Hotel & Casino; Ryan Paulos, general manager of Boyd’s Gold Coast; Najam Khan, general manager of Treasure Island; and Balamurugan Ganesan, manager of Mesquite Gaming.
Tim Rambo, the general manager for Terrible’s Casino in Indian Springs, Terrible Roadhouse Searchlight in Searchlight and Terrible’s Searchlight Casino, was also licensed.
