{{short description|Private casino and sports betting company}} {{Infobox company | name = Affinity Interactive | logo = | former_name = {{ubl|Herbst Gaming (1987–2011)|Affinity Gaming (2011–2021)}} | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | slogan = | foundation = 1987 | location = [[Paradise, Nevada]] <!-- 8449 Russell Road is in Paradise per CC Assessor --> | key_people = Scott Butera <small>(CEO)</small> | num_employees = | industry = [[Gambling]] | products = | revenue = | owner = Z Capital Partners | homepage = {{URL|affinityinteractive.com}} }} '''Affinity Interactive''', formerly known as '''Herbst Gaming''' and '''Affinity Gaming''', is an American private [[casino]] and [[sports betting]] company based in [[Paradise, Nevada]]. It operates eight casinos in [[Nevada]], [[Missouri]], and [[Iowa]], and publishes the ''[[Daily Racing Form]]''.
==History== [[File:Herbst Gaming logo.jpg|thumb|The old logo of Herbst Gaming]] The company traces its roots to 1987, when its predecessor was formed to service the [[slot machines]] at the [[Terrible Herbst]] gas stations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming to buy Sands Regent|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=May 18, 2006|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F111B64BE6D13DF08&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref name=10k2002p40>{{cite report|title=Form 10-K: Annual Report|publisher=Herbst Gaming|date=March 29, 2002|page=40|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1160294/000091205702012623/a2074561z10-k.htm|via=EDGAR}}</ref> It was operated by brothers Ed, Tim, and Troy Herbst, whose father, Jerry Herbst, owned the gas stations.<ref name=10k2002p40 /><ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming announces name change to Affinity Gaming|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=May 23, 2011|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/herbst-gaming-announces-name-change-to-affinity-gaming/|accessdate=2019-03-08}}</ref> Their company later became a [[slot route operator]], maintaining slot machines at other businesses such as taverns and laundromats.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Vegas Guy: Terrible Casino|newspaper=UPI|author=Joe Bob Briggs|date=April 17, 2001|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/04/17/The-Vegas-Guy-Terrible-Casino/4071987480000/|accessdate=2019-03-08}}</ref>
The Herbsts opened their first casino, the Terrible's Town Casino in [[Pahrump, Nevada]], in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|title=Town Casino readies itself for a 'Terrible' 10th|newspaper=Pahrump Valley Times|author=Mark Waite|date=June 23, 2006|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1256E2282BE3DED0&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> This was followed by Terrible's Town Casino and Bowl in [[Henderson, Nevada]];<ref>{{cite news|title=Ohioan captures Orleans tourney|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John McCarron|date=August 14, 1997|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F13270DC1AB6C16C0&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst buys St. Jo Frontier Casino|newspaper=St. Joseph News-Press|author=Greg Kozol|date=July 22, 2004|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F11A09AD149B6B5A8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> Terrible's Lakeside Casino in Pahrump in 1999;<ref>{{cite news|title=MGM and Venetian applications approved by gaming panel|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=February 26, 1999|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/feb/26/mgm-and-venetian-applications-approved-by-gaming-p/|accessdate=2019-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fire marshal: Lakeside meets safety standards|newspaper=Pahrump Valley Times|author=Henry Brean|date=June 4, 1999|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F125E7D54FA3181B8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> and [[Silver Sevens|Terrible's Hotel and Casino]] (formerly the Continental Hotel and Casino) in 2000 near the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Fireworks open Terrible's at old Continental site|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=December 7, 2000|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/dec/07/fireworks-open-terribles-at-old-continental-site/|accessdate=2019-03-08}}</ref>
In 2000, the Herbsts' slot company, E-T-T Inc., doubled its size by acquiring the slot route operation of [[Jackpot Enterprises]] for $41 million, bringing it to a total of 6,000 machines under management.<ref>{{cite news|title=Buyers of Continental casino receive approval to take over slot route|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=October 5, 2000|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/oct/05/buyers-of-continental-casino-receive-approval-to-t/|accessdate=2019-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Form 8-K: Current Report|publisher=Jackpot Enterprises|date=November 30, 2000|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351903/000035190300000067/0000351903-00-000067-0001.txt|via=EDGAR}}</ref>
In 2001, the Herbst brothers' gaming interests were reorganized as Herbst Gaming, Inc., in connection with a $170-million [[bond offering]].<ref>{{cite report|title=Form 10-K: Annual Report|publisher=Herbst Gaming|date=March 29, 2002|page=2|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1160294/000091205702012623/a2074561z10-k.htm|via=EDGAR}}</ref>
The company opened its fifth casino, Terrible's Searchlight Casino in [[Searchlight, Nevada]], in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming Inc. opens fifth property|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=July 2, 2002|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1326E23249D56908&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref>
In 2003, Herbst became the largest slot route operator in Nevada by acquiring [[Anchor Gaming|Anchor Coin]] and its 1,100 machines from [[International Game Technology (1975)|International Game Technology]] for $61 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming reaches deal to acquire IGT's 1,100-machine slot route|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Jeff Simpson|date=December 7, 2002|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F7D38846D4FDBB7&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Slot route operator closes on expansion deal|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=February 27, 2003|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/feb/27/slot-route-operator-closes-on-expansion-deal/|accessdate=2018-03-08}}</ref>
In 2005, Herbst expanded to the Midwest by acquiring three casinos in Missouri and Iowa from [[William M. Grace|W.M. Grace Entertainment]] for $287 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst expanding with Midwest riverboat deal|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=July 21, 2004|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jul/21/herbst-expanding-with-midwest-riverboat-deal/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=LaGrange casino under new ownership|newspaper=Daily Gate City|location=Keokuk, IA|author=Steve Dunn|date=February 1, 2005|url=http://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/lagrange-casino-under-new-ownership/article_86f62799-d599-5622-aa2b-f2fbd815c055.html|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref>
In 2006, a statewide smoking ban was [[List of smoking bans in the United States#Nevada|enacted in Nevada]] at taverns and convenience stores, which was expected to hurt the revenues of slot route operators such as Herbst.<ref>{{cite news|title=Convenience stores expect slot and cigarette revenues to drop|newspaper=Las Vegas Business Press|author1=Valerie Miller|author2=Matt Ward|date=November 20, 2006|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1246107971037858&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Taverns lobby for Question 4|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Annette Wells|date=October 13, 2006|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F114CD6939DF933D8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> In response, the company began to diversify by acquiring more casinos.<ref>{{cite news|title=Q&A: David Ross-Ferrenc Szony|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Richard N. Velotta|date=December 24, 2010|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/dec/24/q-david-ross-ferrenc-szony/|accessdate=2019-03-11}}</ref> In January 2007, Herbst purchased [[Sands Regency|Sands Regent]], a company with four Northern Nevada casinos, including the [[Sands Regency]] and the [[Rail City Casino]], for $119 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming to buy Sands Regent|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=May 18, 2006|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F111B64BE6D13DF08&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Herbst Gaming, Inc. announces the completion of the acquisition of The Sands Regent|publisher=Herbst Gaming|date=January 4, 2007|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F11674223D74C2C20&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> Later that year, it also acquired the [[Primm Valley Resorts|Primm Valley Casino Resorts]], a group of three casinos at the Nevada–California state line, from [[MGM Mirage]] for $400 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Back to a family fold in Primm|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=April 11, 2007|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F11877F6E677FF810&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref>
In early 2008, the company revealed that it was considering a sale or bankruptcy, because of poor financial results stemming from the [[Great Recession in the United States|economic slowdown]] and the smoking ban.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming hires financial adviser|newspaper=Las Vegas Business Press|author=Howard Stutz|date=March 10, 2008|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1246106FF5869F18&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref name=stutz20080402>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming faces hurdles|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=April 2, 2008|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/herbst-gaming-faces-hurdles/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref> Analysts said that the company was also suffering from having overpaid for the Primm casinos, which faced increasing competition from expanding [[Native American gaming|tribal casinos]] in Southern California.<ref name=stutz20080402 />
Herbst Gaming filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection]] in March 2009 with a [[Pre-packaged insolvency#United States|prepackaged plan]] to hand ownership of the casinos to the company's bank lenders, while the Herbst family would receive a 90 percent stake in the slot route business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming files for bankruptcy protection|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Steve Green|date=March 22, 2009|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/22/herbst-gaming-files-bankruptcy-protection/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref> After objections from bondholders, the plan was revised to give full ownership of the slot route operation to the creditors, leaving the Herbsts with no role in the business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst reorganization plan gets OK|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Arnold M. Knightly|date=October 31, 2009|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/herbst-reorganization-plan-gets-ok/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref> The company, reorganized as Herbst Gaming LLC, emerged from bankruptcy at the end of 2010, owned by a group of approximately 140 investment companies and banks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Herbst-less Herbst reorganization approved|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=December 16, 2010|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/herbst-less-herbst-reorganization-approved/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Leaders named at gaming companies after bankruptcy|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Steve Green|date=October 25, 2010|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/oct/25/leaders-named-gaming-companies-after-bankruptcy/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Las Vegas casinos rename their corporations for many reasons|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=February 27, 2011|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/las-vegas-casinos-rename-their-corporations-for-many-reasons/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref>
[[File:Golden Gates Casino.jpg|thumb|Golden Gates Casino, acquired by Affinity Gaming in 2012]] The company changed its name to Affinity Gaming in May 2011, to avoid confusion as the Herbst family planned to rejoin the gaming industry.<ref name=stutz20110523>{{cite news|title=Herbst Gaming announces name change to Affinity Gaming|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=May 23, 2011|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/herbst-gaming-announces-name-change-to-affinity-gaming/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref> Some properties continued to use the Terrible's name and logo under license from Terrible Herbst, while others were reverted to their previous names.<ref name=stutz20110523 /><ref name=10k2014pf26>{{cite report|title=Form 10-K: Annual Report|publisher=Affinity Gaming|date=March 31, 2014|page=F-26|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1499268/000144530514001207/form10-k2013.htm|via=EDGAR}}</ref> The last Affinity property bearing the name, Terrible's Hotel and Casino, was rebranded as the Silver Sevens in 2013.<ref name=10k2014pf26 /><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrible's Casino to become Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=May 17, 2013|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/terribles-casino-to-become-silver-sevens-hotel-casino/|accessdate=2019-03-12}}</ref>
In 2012 and 2013, Affinity sold off several "non-core assets".<ref>{{cite news|title=Affinity Gaming acquiring casino properties in Colorado|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Steve Green|date=September 22, 2011|url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2011/sep/22/affinity-gaming-acquiring-casino-properties-colora/|accessdate=2019-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Affinity selling three of four Northern Nevada casinos|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Steve Green|date=September 8, 2012|url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2012/sep/08/affinity-selling-three-four-northern-nevada-proper/|accessdate=2019-03-12}}</ref> The slot route was sold to [[Golden Gaming]] and [[JETT Gaming]] (a new company formed by Jerry Herbst).<ref name=stutz20120301>{{cite news|author=Howard Stutz|title=Las Vegas gaming companies complete transactions involving casinos, slot machine routes|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/las-vegas-gaming-companies-complete-transactions-involving-casinos-slot-machine-routes/|accessdate=2019-03-10|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=March 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Familiar faces stay despite overhauls|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=July 3, 2011|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/inside-gaming/familiarfaces-staydespite-overhauls/|accessdate=2019-03-12}}</ref> The two casinos in Pahrump were also sold to Golden Gaming, and the Searchlight casino to JETT.<ref name=stutz20120301 /> The Sands Regency and two smaller casinos in Northern Nevada were sold for $19.2 million to Truckee Gaming, a new company led by Affinity executive Ferenc Szony.<ref>{{cite news|title=Affinity Gaming to sell three Northern Nevada casinos for $19.2 million|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Howard Stutz|date=September 7, 2012|url=http://www.lvrj.com/business/affinty-gaming-to-sell-three-northern-nevada-casinos-for-19-2-million-168975366.html|accessdate=2012-09-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Affinity Gaming divests three non-core casino properties in Northern Nevada|publisher=Affinity Gaming|date=February 1, 2013|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130201005777/en/Affinity-Gaming-Divests-Non-Core-Casino-Properties-Northern|accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> Meanwhile, Affinity expanded to Colorado by buying three casinos in [[Black Hawk, Colorado|Black Hawk]] from Golden Gaming.<ref name=stutz20120301 />
In February 2017, Z Capital Partners, a [[private equity]] firm which had already built up a 41 percent stake in Affinity, bought all outstanding shares in a transaction valuing the company at $580 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Affinity Gaming, owner of Silver Sevens, sold to private equity firm|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Richard N. Velotta|date=August 23, 2016|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/affinity-gaming-owner-silver-sevens-sold-private-equity-firm|accessdate=2016-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Z Capital Partners completes acquisition of Affinity Gaming|publisher=Z Capital Partners|date=February 1, 2017|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/z-capital-partners-completes-acquisition-of-affinity-gaming-300400478.html|via=PR Newswire|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref>
In October 2018, Z Capital proposed to acquire competing casino operator [[Full House Resorts]] and merge it into Affinity, but the offer was rejected by Full House executives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Full House Resorts says Affinity Gaming offer may be too low|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Richard N. Velotta|date=October 22, 2018|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/full-house-resorts-says-affinity-gaming-offer-may-be-too-low/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Full House Resorts rejects buyout offer, says it 'lacks credibility'|newspaper=CDC Gaming Reports|author=Howard Stutz|date=October 23, 2018|url=https://www.cdcgamingreports.com/full-house-resorts-rejects-buyout-offer-says-it-lacks-credibility/|accessdate=2019-03-10}}</ref>
Affinity sold its three Colorado casinos in January 2020 to [[Twin River Worldwide Holdings]] for $51 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River completes $51M purchase of 3 casinos|newspaper=Washington Post|agency=AP|date=January 24, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/twin-river-completes-51m-purchase-of-3-casinos/2020/01/24/0e4bad74-3ec8-11ea-afe2-090eb37b60b1_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124214207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/twin-river-completes-51m-purchase-of-3-casinos/2020/01/24/0e4bad74-3ec8-11ea-afe2-090eb37b60b1_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2020|accessdate=2020-01-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River to buy three casinos in Colorado|newspaper=Providence Journal|author=Patrick Anderson|date=January 29, 2019|url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190129/twin-river-to-buy-three-casinos-in-colorado|accessdate=2019-03-16}}</ref>
In March 2020, Affinity established a [[special-purpose acquisition company]], Gaming & Hospitality Acquisition Corp. (GHAC), through which it planned to become a publicly traded company and merge with a to-be-determined company in the gaming industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Z Capital's Affinity Gaming seeks to raise $150 million for SPAC|work=Bloomberg|author=Gillian Tan|date=October 5, 2020|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-05/z-capital-s-affinity-gaming-seeks-to-raise-150-million-for-spac|access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Form S-1: Draft Registration Statement|publisher=Gaming & Hospitality Acquisition Corp.|date=July 31, 2020|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001806156/000095012320007469/filename1.htm|page=2|via=EDGAR}}</ref> GHAC completed an [[initial public offering]] in February 2021, raising $200 million.<ref>{{cite press release|title=ZCG and Affinity Gaming affiliate Gaming & Hospitality Acquisition Corp. completes $200 million upsized initial public offering|publisher=Z Capital Group|date=February 5, 2021|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zcg-and-affinity-gaming-affiliate-gaming--hospitality-acquisition-corp-completes-200-million-upsized-initial-public-offering-301223211.html|access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Las Vegas-based Affinity Gaming is seeking an acquisition|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=January 15, 2021|author=Bailey Schulz|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/las-vegas-based-affinity-gaming-is-seeking-an-acquisition-2254545/|access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref> Z Capital later announced that it would merge Affinity with a sister company, Sports Information Group, the parent company of the ''[[Daily Racing Form]]''.<ref name=tan20210613>{{cite news|title=Z Capital's Affinity Gaming, Sports Info Group plan to merge|work=Bloomberg|author=Gillian Tan|date=June 13, 2021|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-13/z-capital-s-affinity-gaming-sports-info-group-said-to-merge|access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref> The combined company would be named Affinity Interactive, and would continue to seek an acquisition target with GHAC.<ref name=tan20210613 /> The merger was completed in July 2021.<ref>{{cite press release|title=ZCG announces completion of merger creating Affinity Interactive|publisher=Z Capital Group|date=July 6, 2021|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zcg-announces-completion-of-merger-creating-affinity-interactive-301325759.html|access-date=2021-08-03|via=PR Newswire}}</ref>
==Gaming operations== * [[Lakeside Hotel & Casino]] — [[Osceola, Iowa]] * [[Mark Twain Casino|Mark Twain Casino & RV Park]] — [[La Grange, Missouri]] * [[Primm Valley Resorts|Primm Valley Casino Resorts]] — [[Primm, Nevada]] ** [[Primm Valley Resort & Casino]] * [[St. Jo Frontier Casino]] — [[St. Joseph, Missouri]] * [[Silver Sevens Hotel and Casino]] — [[Paradise, Nevada]]
===Closed properties=== * [[Whiskey Pete's]] - [[Primm, Nevada]] (closed 2024) * [[Buffalo Bill's]] - Primm, Nevada (closed 2025)
===Former properties=== * Gold Ranch Casino & RV Resort — [[Verdi, Nevada]] * [[Golden Gates Casino]] — [[Black Hawk, Colorado]] (sold in 2020) * [[Golden Gulch Casino]] — Black Hawk, Colorado (sold in 2020) * [[Golden Mardi Gras Casino]] — Black Hawk, Colorado (sold in 2020) * Henderson Casino Bowl — [[Henderson, Nevada]] (closed in 2013)<ref>{{cite report|title=Form 10-K: Annual Report|publisher=Affinity Gaming|date=March 31, 2014|page=1|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1499268/000144530514001207/form10-k2013.htm|via=EDGAR}}</ref> * Red Hawk Sports Bar — [[Dayton, Nevada]] (closed in 2008)<ref name=lvrj-20080619>{{cite news|author=Howard Stutz|title=Debt-strapped Herbst Gaming shuts small Northern Nevada casino|work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1216DF3F924AF008&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|date=June 19, 2008|via=NewsBank}}</ref> * [[Sands Regency]] — [[Reno, Nevada]] * Terrible's Casino — [[Dayton, Nevada]] * Terrible's Lakeside Casino & RV Park — [[Pahrump, Nevada]] * Terrible's Searchlight Casino — [[Searchlight, Nevada]] * Terrible's Town Casino — [[Pahrump, Nevada]]
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://affinityinteractive.com/|Affinity Interactive}}
[[Category:Affinity Gaming| ]] [[Category:Gambling companies of the United States]] [[Category:Companies based in Paradise, Nevada]] [[Category:Hospitality companies of the United States]] [[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1987]] [[Category:Hospitality companies established in 1987]] [[Category:Privately held companies based in the Las Vegas Valley]] [[Category:1987 establishments in Nevada]] [[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009]]