The HORSESHOE and the1st WSOP! (Part1).

[najisami]

In this 2-part thread, we will first see how the famous Horseshoe casino came to existence, then how the wsop started.

In 1946, wanted in the state of Texas for racketeering, illegal gambling operations and several murders, the illiterate famous Benny Binion drove up to Las Vegas-Nevada in his Cadillac with one of his bodyguards and $1M in the trunk after having bribed most of Dallas authorities.

He operated a few "clubs" for a while then in 1951 bought, for $160.000, a drab and shuttered casino called "Eldorado" whose owners owed some $870.000 to the IRS. He also took over the lease on the building, including the Apache Hotel above the casino. He remodeled the whole thing and called it: The Horseshoe.

Now Binion owned the jewel of his life but could not operate it! The State Tax Commission rejected his application for a casino license as Texas officials were continuously asking for his extradition. But Binion had acquired a great experience and knew it was time to start handing out money.

His words:

"I have bribed many a man in my day"
"It takes a pretty good man to make you bribe him"

Near the end of his life, he was asked about spreading money around to influential officials:

-And that's always been your way?
--Yeah, he answered.
-District attorneys?
--Yeah.
-Sheriffs?
--Yeah.
-Governors?
--Yeah.
-Lieutenant governors?
--Well, I don't know of any Lieutenant governors.

Part 2 (WSOP) coming up in a couple of days.

 

[CNXRegie]

In this 2-part thread, we will first see how the famous Horseshoe casino came to existence, then how the WSOP started.

In 1946, wanted in the state of Texas for racketeering, illegal gambling operations and several murders, the illiterate famous Benny Binion drove up to Las Vegas-Nevada in his Cadillac with one of his bodyguards and $1M in the trunk after having bribed most of Dallas authorities.

He operated a few "clubs" for a while then in 1951 bought, for $160.000, a drab and shuttered casino called "Eldorado" whose owners owed some $870.000 to the IRS. He also took over the lease on the building, including the Apache Hotel above the casino. He remodeled the whole thing and called it: The Horseshoe.

Now Binion owned the jewel of his life but could not operate it! The State Tax Commission rejected his application for a casino license as Texas officials were continuously asking for his extradition. But Binion had acquired a great experience and knew it was time to start handing out money.

His words:

"I have bribed many a man in my day"
"It takes a pretty good man to make you bribe him"

Near the end of his life, he was asked about spreading money around to influential officials:

-And that's always been your way?
--Yeah, he answered.
-District attorneys?
--Yeah.
-Sheriffs?
--Yeah.
-Governors?
--Yeah.
-Lieutenant governors?
--Well, I don't know of any Lieutenant governors.

Part 2 (WSOP) coming up in a couple of days.

This is the kind of story I always wanted to read. If there's a book out of this, I'd buy it to enjoy while riding home from work 📖

I'm excited for the second part, Sami! 😁

 

[Tero]

In 1946, wanted in the state of Texas for racketeering, illegal gambling operations and several murders, the illiterate famous Benny Binion drove up to Las Vegas-Nevada in his Cadillac with one of his bodyguards and $1M in the trunk after having bribed most of Dallas authorities.

So even after being wanted for murder he was allowed to wander freely

I ran the $1M through an inflation calculator. What it bought back then would take about 16.6 million today.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

Thank you very much for enlightening us with the history of this infamous casino in downtown las Vegas. Would love to go there one day.

 

[maronza1]

I cant wait for part 2 😀

This is the kind of story I always wanted to read. If there's a book out of this, I'd buy it to enjoy while riding home from work 📖

I'm excited for the second part, Sami! 😁

Sami I think you would make a living out of this idea, Why don't you research the history well and write about this story, im sure Regie wont hesitate to pay whatever amount you charge for the book 🤣

 

[najisami]

So even after being wanted for murder he was allowed to wander freely

I ran the $1M through an inflation calculator. What it bought back then would take about 16.6 million today.

As I was writing it, I really thought about doing the same thing but forgot afterwards. Thank you.

 

[najisami]

I cant wait for part 2 😀

Sami I think you would make a living out of this idea, Why don't you research the history well and write about this story, im sure Regie wont hesitate to pay whatever amount you charge for the book 🤣

Lol. Where do you think I got the info from?
A friend came to visit from the USA last year and brought me this book: "BLOOD ACES, The wild ride of Benny Binion". His biography basically.
So you and @CNXRegie can probably find it on Amazon.
I had actually asked her for a particular poker book but couldn't find it in her town and bought that instead.

 

[najisami]

So even after being wanted for murder he was allowed to wander freely

That was in 1946, and the guy had enough money to buy anything and anyone.
Nevertheless, he'll eventually spend years in jail later on...