The Transformation of Las Vegas: Benny Binion’s Enduring Legacy
Las Vegas, now renowned as the global capital of gambling and vibrant nightlife, was once a modest settlement in the Nevada desert. The city’s explosive transformation into “Sin City” was driven by key visionaries, and none left a more unforgettable mark than Benny Binion. His keen insights, daring business moves, and commitment to honest gambling established a blueprint that continues to define Vegas today.
Benny Binion: From Humble Beginnings to Gambling Visionary
Born Lester Ben Binion in 1904, Benny’s early life in Texas offered little formal education. Instead, he learned the ropes riding alongside his father, a horse trader, forging relationships and absorbing the instinctive skills that would later help him dominate the gambling world. By the mid-1930s, Benny had established a thriving—albeit illegal—gambling racket in Dallas.
However, post-World War II changes saw the Chicago Mob muscling into Dallas. Losing political favor, Binion decided in 1946 to seek new fortune in Las Vegas, a city surging with opportunity in the wake of the Hoover Dam’s construction and a burgeoning population hungry for entertainment.
Creating a Casino Legend: The Birth of Binion’s Horseshoe
Binion’s arrival in Las Vegas was marked by several failed ventures. Yet perseverance paid off when he purchased the Eldorado Club and Apache Hotel, merging them into Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. What set the Horseshoe apart was Benny’s revolutionary approach:
– He set record-high table limits—craps allowing $500 bets, dwarfing rival casinos’ maximums.
– He encouraged high-rollers to play any stake, promising to match any wager within his own purse.
– He was a pioneer in offering complimentary drinks to players, enticing gamblers to linger at the tables.
The Horseshoe developed a reputation as the serious gambler’s casino, free of distractions like lavish stage shows. Memorable stories of gamblers placing million-dollar bets contributed to its mystique. Benny Binion’s insistence on keeping his promises—paying out all legitimate wins—cemented his integrity among patrons.
Navigating Legal Troubles: Benny’s Criminal Past
Despite his apparent break from his Dallas days, Binion’s criminal record caught up with him. In 1953, after years of scrutiny from Dallas authorities, he was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. Stripped of his casino license, Benny redirected his energy into promoting the Horseshoe, entrusting operational control to his son Jack.
Jack Binion: Forging the Future and Expanding the Legacy
After Benny’s release, the family worked to regain majority control over the Horseshoe, achieving this in 1964. Jack Binion, who secured his gaming license from Nevada authorities, upheld his father’s traditions of high limits and open betting while introducing his own business acumen. Under Jack’s leadership, the hotel expanded—most notably with the $27 million acquisition of the adjoining Mint Casino and Hotel in 1988. The Binion motto, “a fair game and fair odds,” became synonymous with their brand, ensuring lasting appeal for gamblers seeking authenticity.
Birth of the World Series of Poker: A Game-Changer in Gaming
Today, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the premier poker championship, drawing tens of thousands of players and generating life-changing prizes. But its roots were humble—a small gathering of seven invited players at Binion’s Horseshoe in 1970. What started as a friendly competition to crown the best poker player quickly captured the imagination of the gambling community.
– The initial contest was a peer vote among players, with Johnny Moss declared the “best player.”
– In 1971, the format evolved into a $5,000 freezeout tournament, marking the main event’s true beginning.
– The turning point came when Amarillo Slim, after winning in 1972, became the tournament’s charismatic public face, appearing nationwide and bringing massive attention to the WSOP.
National TV coverage followed in 1973, and the tournament’s popularity soared. By the late 1980s, crowds overwhelmed Binion’s Horseshoe, prompting further expansion and a dedicated poker room.
Following Benny’s passing in 1989, Jack carried on the torch, but an internal family dispute led to the sale of the Horseshoe and the WSOP rights in 2004 to Harrah’s Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment). The WSOP has since become a global phenomenon, but its spirit remains rooted in the Binions’ original vision.
Enduring Impact: Binion’s Place in Las Vegas History
After a series of ownership changes and renovations through the 2000s, the Horseshoe’s gaming floor persists—the property renamed Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel, then later operating as Hotel Apache.
Jack Binion, still an integral figure in the casino industry as a consultant, continues to witness the ongoing evolution of Las Vegas. The story of the Binion family is inseparable from the city’s meteoric rise—without their innovative mindset and fearless entrepreneurship, the Las Vegas of legend would look very different, and the World Series of Poker might never have achieved global fame.
Benny and Jack Binion ensured that Las Vegas would forever be a mecca for players chasing fair odds, big dreams, and larger-than-life stories. Their legacy, immortalized in the lights of Fremont Street, proves that the spirit of true gambling endures even as the city around it continues to transform.
