Benny Binion, The 'Friendliest' Mobster In Vegas

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.

#BennyBinion #lasvegas #weirdhistory

[garypike]

Having worked at the horseshoe for 2 years in 83 and 84 there will never be anything like I'm the luckiest person to see the last of old Vegas

[jgrazzi]

In the 70’s, when I was too young to even gamble, my parents would take us all to Vegas about twice a year. Mom & Dad were gamblers. I remember how they’d pick up the phone, call Binion’s Horseshoe and ask for “Gibby” (as he was known) who was the slots manager. All they’d have to tell “Gibby” was that they’d be coming up on Friday and Saturday and needed two rooms at the top of the stairs. Gibby would say, “I’ve got you down. See you on Friday”. Everything was ready when we got there. And while I sat and watched my parents play I remember Benny Binion would come around with a big bucket of silver dollars. He would scoop his hands into the bucket and give players hands full of silver dollars to play with. The noise, the energy, the excitement were all incredible. You’d have to wait just to get a seat at the blackjack table and the place was always packed! If they wanted dinner all they needed to do was call over a slots supervisor and the comp slip was written and that was that. When I got older and began to play myself in the 80’s & 90’s it was almost as simple. But now it’s all gone! It’ll never be the same. But the memories of those good ole days will last forever.

[tootz]

We always stayed and played at the Horseshoe. Benny would walk around the casino and talk to the players at even the low stakes tables. He was friendly and generous. He had that little bar by the 21 tables where even call drinks were $.50 24 hours a day. His diner downstairs had good food for cheap prices and the rooms were nice and not much money. I think he did a great job of pulling people into his place, didn't need shows or concerts...just cheap drinks, eats, and talking to the folks. I liked him.

[davebaker]

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

[randomthoughts]

I am a Vegas native and as bizarre as it might sound the city was best when it was ran by the mob. Growing up in Vegas you understand the influence the mob had. That’s why we have the museum dedicated to the mob. It’s our city and culture and although controversial I wouldn’t want it any other way. Go to downtown Vegas and you will see the mob remnants. It’s not perfect but it was Las Vegas. I would prefer the old Vegas to the corporate one of today.

[JustJulyo]

Miss when I was scared of mobsters rather than corporations

[jeramypickett]

i always loved the old feel binions still has. a dark cigarette filled nostalgic 1960s through 80s vibe. u can walk in and out no doors. gotta do a video on his son ted binion. insane how much dirt this guy was involved in over the years.

[rhettstein]

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

[Vintage_Andrew]

His feud with Herbert “The Cat” Noble and the multiple attempts against him, including the one attempt in which his wife died in a car bomb, must have been the source of inspiration for the mission of the first Mafia game “You Lucky bastard” in which there are multiple attempts against a mobster including the car bomb in which a woman, who was the mistress of the main target, perished

[dave]

Benny had some great quotes : When all the other casinos had musical acts playing in the lounge, Benny responded by saying :
"I don't particularly like to see my money floating out the end of a clarinet"
Great video, wonderful story of a Vegas Icon!

[snex]

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.

[rab]

Actually, the last time the WSOP was at Binion's was in 2007. Then, it was at The Rio for 14 years, and now The Paris/Horseshoe. However, this version of The Horseshoe (formerly Bally's) is owned by Caesars and has nothing to do with Binion's other than Caesars bought Harrah's, which bought Binion's.

[davidlape]

The fact that he was "nice" would scare me even more. Love the channel and content. Really enjoy learning about the different stories. Blessings.❤️

[sammyfoldem]

One of the most important figures in gambling history

[gjd]

Fact check: The World Series of poker has been at the Rio in LV for the last 17 years…love the channel!

[zombieparrot]

I live out here, and visit the mob museum regularly. I love the history of this town.

[andrabrandon]

HEB is the major supermarket chain here in Texas - good placement of their children's mascot!!!!

[skittlecar]

I love going to Binions on Fremont. Has that old school charm.

[hangin-in-thereawesome]

My husband and I stayed and gambled at the Horseshoe many but only saw Benny at the door. We were told that because of his criminal record he couldn't come inside. After his sons took over, you would often see Ted working as pit boss. In the downstairs coffee shop there was a glass case with dolls dressed to look like Benny and his wife. Yes he was a mobster!!

[TheReaper]

One of those guys that definitely lived by the "give respect, get respect" saying but when crossed you see why he rose up in the mob.