Formerly called
|
Herbst Gaming (1987–2011) |
---|---|
Private | |
Industry | Gambling |
Founded | 1987 |
Headquarters | Paradise, Nevada |
Key people
|
Michael Silberling (CEO) |
Owner | Z Capital Partners |
Website | affinitygaming |
Affinity Gaming, formerly known as Herbst Gaming, is a casino operator based in Paradise, Nevada that operates five casinos in Nevada, three in Colorado, two in Missouri, and one in Iowa.
The business traces it roots to the Terrible Herbst Oil Company founded in 1959 by Ed Herbst (grandfather of the current owners) which owns gasoline stations throughout Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. The stations bear the logo of a "terrible" cowboy wearing a handlebar mustache and black hat.
In 1987, Herbst Gaming was formed by brothers Ed Herbst, Troy Herbst and Tim Herbst (grandchildren of the patriarch) to service the slot machines in the stations.
In 1997, it opened its first casino, the Town Casino, in Pahrump, Nevada and the Casino and Bowl in Henderson, Nevada. This was followed by the Lakeside Casino in Pahrump in 1999, the Terrible's Hotel and Casino (formerly the Continental Hotel and Casino) in 2000 in Paradise, Nevada and Searchlight Casino in 2003.
On December 8, 2002, Herbst Gaming agreed to buy International Game Technology's Anchor Coin slot route operation with 1,100 machines.
In 2005, it acquired three Midwest casinos in St. Joseph, Missouri, La Grange, Missouri and Osceola, Iowa from Grace Entertainment for $287 million. Grace was a Midwest contractor who had developed racing and casino operations there.
In May 2006, Sands Regent announced plans to be acquired by Herbst. In January 2007, Herbst purchased four casinos including the Red Hawk Sports Bar,Sands Regent and Rail City Casino for $119 million.