Affinity Gaming was founded two years ago when Z Capital Partners bought the former Herbst Gaming, spun off the route operations and formed Affinity to operate the casinos they own in in Nevada, Colorado, Missouri and Iowa. The underperforming casinos were a perfect fit for Michael Silberling, who cut his teeth with Caesars Entertainment attaining a reputation as a premier operator of struggling properties. Affinity’s Nevada properties—three in the border town of Primm and Silver Sevens, one block from the Strip—are the core of the company. Silberling explains how he applied simple strategies that cut costs and boosted revenues. As a result, Affinity Gaming posted eight consecutive quarter of EBITDA growth. Silberling spoke with GGB Publisher Roger Gros at his offices in Las Vegas in December.
