You may never have heard of Benny Binion, but odds are you’re familiar with some of his work. So, who was he? For starters, he was one of the pioneers in Las Vegas gaming and founder of the World Series of Poker.
While Binion was said to be one of the nicest men you’d ever meet, he was also a guy you didn’t want to cross. From his start as a gambler and racketeer in Dallas, TX, to the establishment of his Horseshoe Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, Binion was as ruthless as he was charismatic. Binion reshaped Las Vegas gambling, attracting high rollers and average players alike.
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Just don't do Amarillo Slim
Hot Springs Ark was Las Vegas before Las Vegas!! Spa City USA was Hot Springs!!! Owner Madden would be a great topic.
The WSOP hasn't been played at Binion's Horseshoe since like 2004 or 2005. It moved to the Rio, and then last year to Bally's, which this year has rebranded itself to Horseshoe.
A $2 steak has the same buying power of $23 today. $500 then has the same buying power of 5,833 today.
I’ve had the $1.99 steak and egg meal before, it was great
Education doesn't make you a success. It helps, but hard work, desire and drive will get you very far
I was driving my employer to Las Vegas, he was friends with Benny Binion, I was introduced to him, he treated me very well, very nice guy
I use to work at binions horseshoe in Vegas in the early 90s to they did take care of there employees.
Legend
Lester Binion a.k.a. benny Binion was my brothers godfather he was truly a really nice gentleman when my brother’s father passed away Mr. Binion help my mother a lot he is an absolute living legend rest in peace Danny Binion
damn people could blow up people back then and literally get away with it. seems so wierd.
Many card counters were beat up and some BFed
Lost Vegas
Cant help but think this Benny is the guy they based the character off of for Fallout New Vegas.
Well I would say a very good businessman Allright maybe he was mafia far as I care I would trust him at his word if I had known him. From what I have read and heard Vegas was a better place when mafia was in control these men knew how to keep things in check and you didn't see the stuff people do in the casinos like you do today and for this I would say if they took a little extra then what was supposed to go to the government I would say it was well earned and I would rather see it go to these men vs giving to government where they are going to piss it away on something stupid. I believe these men earned every bit they took.
Fuck him he killed a blackman for nothing.
A tribute to the old glorious Vegas
Friendly? He killed a black dude in Texas in the 1920s and paid the LA mob to kill an eastern european guy.
So what you are saying is taxation is theft.
I was at the Shoe the night in 04 when the Feds came in and shut it down.
I hear you saying Mob, Mobster and Mafia all throughout the video. Binion doesnt look Italian and I doubt his father was either so, exactly which Mafia family was he with? I think you're using Mafia out of context while talking about Binion because you dont know what else to call him.
I really like these mini bios of obscure historic people
I seem to remember following a story on Court TV where a Binon guy was murdered l wonder if they were related?
THE GOOD OLE DAYS. My dad was a boss. Google Murray Kessler & gambino
I live out here, and visit the mob museum regularly. I love the history of this town.