Benny Binion: Crime, Casinos, and Legacy

There are positive and negative reactions when the name Benny Binion is mentioned in the gambling setting. Many may see him as a hero for having started the kind of gambling they like, but to others, he was not someone to be associated with. 

Benny Binion, a Las Vegas icon, has a conflicting story. He was an ex-convict and had been associated with illegal gambling operations that deviated from appropriate gambling terms. But if all there’s to him is bad, why is he still talked about? It is because Benny Binion had some notable results. 

In this casino news, we will discuss everything there’s to know about him. Let’s get started! 

Benny Binion: A Legendary Gambling Figure

Benny Binion was born in 1904 in Pilot Grove, Texas, north of Dallas. He grew up in Dallas, where he started his gambling escapades. As a child, Binion had no formal education as he was regularly left indoors due to health challenges. He regularly accompanied his father for horse riding, which eventually helped him overcome his health crisis and become a prominent figure in Dallas during the 1920s and 1930s. 

At the time, gambling wasn’t much to be concerned about. But to discard hostile gangs, common raids were often done at gambling setups. Benny Binion became king of Dallas rackets after dubbing some tricks from Warren Diamond, a well-known gambling syndicate. He usually employed these tactics in hiding his illegal craps gambling in crates to evade police raids. Since the period collided with the Wild West, Binion often carried three pistols, as there could be violent rival clashes. 

Benny Binion had five children with his wife, Teddy Jane: Jack, Ted, Barbara, Becky, and Brenda. He died in 1989, and his fortune was estimated to be worth $100 million.

From Slot Machines to Virtual Reality

A Trip to Vegas: The Binion Horseshoe Emerges

Benny Binion arrived in Vegas in 1946, where he transformed the struggling Eldorado Club in 1951 into his vision—a Horseshoe Casino, a promising establishment to date. Binion’s wife played a key role in its design, focusing on simplicity. 

The Horseshoe stood out as a no-limit establishment, handling trouble internally without involving the police. However, Binion’s daring approach led rivals to raise their limits. Despite success with the establishment, His legal troubles arose. He got a 42-month sentence for tax evasion, marking a tumultuous chapter in casino history.

His Influence on the Poker Gaming World

Though Benny Binion’s prominence was in the Narcos casino game line, his influence in poker is minimal yet endearing. He could have improved in engaging in the game, but he organized competitions and cash games. Binion was a Las Vegas gaming pioneer of the World Series of Poker. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1990 for his poker contributions.

He and other gambling figures are surely part of the global gambling movement that later led to the digital gambling we know today.

Controversies and Criminal Records of Benny Binion

Besides being one of the founders of prominent gaming halls in the modern era that hosted top casino games, Benny Binion had some early dark sides. His criminal records predate 1924 when Binion was arrested moonshining—selling liquor during prohibition at the age of 18. He later moved to Dallas, engaging in illegal activity and working as a dice dealer at a casino. 

In 1928, he started a lucrative numbers casino game. However, Binion’s protective nature led to a confrontation in 1931, resulting in him shooting Frank Bolding, claiming self-defense. He received a two-year suspended sentence. In 1936, Binion was involved in another killing, but both he and his associate were acquitted due to missing witnesses and claims of self-defense. In 1951, he lost his gaming license and faced a five-year sentence in 1953 for tax evasion.

Conclusion

The name “Benny Binion,” being a legendary figure in gambling, sits right with some people and does not with others. However, his contributions left an indelible mark. From helping found the World Series of Poker to shaping the online casino landscape, Binion’s legacy continues to influence and define the industry today.

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