Hollywood Meets Vegas History
Rocky is heading to the Old West. Sylvester Stallone is teaming up with “Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser to bring the story of Benny Binion to television. If you don’t know the name, you should. Binion helped build modern Las Vegas and changed poker forever.
MGM Television announced the project this week. The series will be based on Doug J. Swanson’s book “Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker.”
Who Was Benny Binion?
Benny Binion was a Texas gambler who came to Las Vegas in the 1940s and opened Binion’s Horseshoe in 1951. His casino became famous for taking big bets when other casinos wouldn’t. High rollers loved it. If you had the money, Binion would let you bet it.
But his biggest contribution came in 1970. That’s when he created the World Series of Poker at his casino. Today, the WSOP is the most famous poker tournament in the world. Millions of people watch it on TV every year. It all started with Binion’s vision.
Binion also helped bring the National Finals Rodeo to Las Vegas in 1985, working with casino owner Michael Gaughan. The rodeo still brings thousands of visitors to Nevada every December.
Binion died in 1989. Today, a statue of him on horseback stands inside the South Point casino. It’s a reminder of the man who helped make Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world.
Why This Story Matters
Cole Hauser will play Binion in the series. He explained why the story is worth telling.
“Benny Binion is one of the great Western American characters and success stories of the 20th century, loaded with ambition, vision, balls and, like all controversial characters, many flaws,” Hauser said in a statement.
“His legacy is undeniable. How he built it is an incredible story which we can’t wait to tell.”
That word “controversial” is important. Binion wasn’t a saint. He had a rough past in Texas before coming to Nevada. The book the series is based on doesn’t shy away from calling him a gangster. But he also embodied the American dream. He came to Nevada with an idea and built something that lasted long after he was gone.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
For conservatives who believe in free enterprise and the power of individuals to build businesses, Binion’s story hits home. He didn’t wait for handouts. He took risks. He competed. He gave customers what they wanted, even when others said no.
Nevada became great because it let people like Binion operate with minimal interference. The state offered freedom that other places didn’t. That freedom attracted entrepreneurs and risk-takers who built the gaming industry from scratch.
Looking Ahead
No release date has been announced yet. Stallone’s Balboa Productions will be among the show’s producers. Given the success of “Yellowstone” and America’s appetite for Western stories, this series could introduce Benny Binion to a whole new generation.
For Nevadans, it’s a chance to see our history brought to life. For the rest of the country, it’s a reminder of what made the American West special. People came here to be free. They built things. They took chances. Sometimes they failed. Sometimes they created empires.
What You Can Do
When the series comes out, watch it with your family. Talk about what Nevada was like in the old days. Visit the exhibits at local casinos that tell our state’s history. Support businesses that embrace that entrepreneurial spirit today.
Nevada’s story is America’s story. It’s about freedom, risk, and reward. Benny Binion lived it. Now, Silver State history is hitting the silver screen.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
