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.
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@imazombieee8949
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Binion is my spot! I love that place.
@nananananana10
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
thx dana
@EQAudioBeats
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Dana & Sharpe
@jamorianwalker7509
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Yeah They Need To Make A Movie About Him 💯💯
@750zo
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Everybody in the comments knows him 😂😂😂😂
@750zo
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Nobody cares why you are here..
@casiusgee9545
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Doesn’t sound like the mob..sounds more like the KKK 😂
@Moose975
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Thanks uncle D
@sirjimssirjims9047
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Thanks dana
@Gfam062
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Sent by Dana
@nicholashadley126
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Here cause of Shannon.
@alexvisuals1756
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
While WW2 is going on, a “Gangster” doesn’t go to war, he extorts his own people. Lol
@J0NJONSON
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
If the mob ran cities like it used to there’d be a lot less crime. I know it sounds weird but ask an old head.
@J0NJONSON
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Here bc I bet big.
@davidwolf6539
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
The Jim Gatewood book "The Legend of Benny Binion" will make you think 100% that his life story would be the most fascinating movie of all time.
@NewGuy2534
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
The rarest death amongst gangsters, the peaceful death of old age.
@BrianAzarcon-h4m
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Bad ass mofo
@DeanBressman
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I was at a World Series as a spectator at binions before they moved it to the rio rio felt more like a factory nothing quite like binions jack was a cool guy met him few times always cordial
@Infamous-725
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
How the hell are white criminals allowed to run businesses? Im curious
@HoneyBonez29
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Lol not the HEBuddy reference 👏🏼
@goodnight3379
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
yea i was related to him
@speedracerxxl6269
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Here because of Dana
@andrewcross9918
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Wasn't Benny the owner to introduce Air Conditioning in a Casinos, and stools to allow customers to spend more time at the slot machines and tables? But you did mention that he introduced free drinks to the gamblers. And I always thought the Bill Harrah was the innovative one.
@dave-ostanks7672
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I grew up and live in pilot Grove too. He still owns some land here. The Binion family cemetery is right down the road from me. pilot Grove is also referred to as “Lickskillet“ I always heard back in the 50s a guy from pilot Grove went to his casino and told him he was from Lickskillet and he let him stay free of charge
@topfeedcoco
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
F this condescending late 90s History Channel gate keeping trash.
@MatthewRutledge-cr6fs
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I have thought for years that Hollywood should make a major movie about him
@infinitypoker6383
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
He was a gangster 1000% but not traditional Italian organized crime.
@ritwiknath4701
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
My grandfather was in Mr. Benny's crew. He told me Benny loved giving his people new watches on occasions. Granpa still wears them.
@stevenhanson6057
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
This man was as American as it gets. Freedom.
@michaeljohnknop9533
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I spent 2 decades in LV. A good portion of that as a chauffeur. I knew quite a few people at the 'Shoe' ; met Benny's grandson; his daughter Becky's private bodyguard; and Jack's private atty. I had my share of the $2 steaks with idaho bakers. There was one time where Benny tossed $1M in cash from the Horseshoes roof. That story about the insurance premiums not being paid was a cover story. It had more to do with Becky. Jack. & the private investors. You did a nice job touching on many facets of Benny. Kudos!
@michaeljohnknop9533
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
What about Sam Boyd or Frank Fertitta. Frank was from Texas ya know.
@JavierCalderon-k3u
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
HOW IN THE HELL HE GOT HIS CASINO LICENSE ( IN A CRACKER JACK BOX ) NOW THATS WHATTA I CALL LUKE
@Icemanjackwhitey
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
1000 waiting for a table
@Icemanjackwhitey
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Hot roulette
@Icemanjackwhitey
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Best steak and eggs in Vegas.
@brianlorsung1964
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
In 1990, the breakfast special at Binion's was ham & eggs with toast for $1.99. The ham slice was as big as the plate. Those were the days!
@irataylor7102
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
My Great Aunt and Grandad ran bootleg booze for Benny in the early 1900's in Dallas
@terrorbirds9835
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Read that as “incest mobster in Vegas” 🤣
@pearsooo6972
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Thank you Benny
@stevehammel2939
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I loved playing Craps at Binion's Downtown LV back in the day.
@thecameraman86
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I guess his son paid for the dads transgressions
@all_time_Jelly_Fish
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
hard to call someone friendly who committed so much murder, but i guess that's how it goes with mobsters.
@tilled6695
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
the fact people idolize this guy shows whats wrong, trash human
@7Eightyone
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Interesting…done people wanted to name the intersection where 2Pac was killed after him. Many Vegas locals were against it because they didn't want to glorify a "thug". Meanwhile…we have a museum, hotel and casino and other things named after and glorifying "thugs".
@kenlewis11
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Was he a mobster ? Didn’t seem like he was connected but he didn’t need to be. He was an entire organization crime syndicate all his own. 😂
@robertduncan2226
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Herb the Cat . Benny killed his wife and several bystanders over the years . Several Vegas cops got the dirt nap for not taking bribes . The limo ride to the casino was cool, but a limousine ride from the casino was a one-way trip for a big winner .
@NorthMan-u2u
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
NO SUCH THING AS A FRIENDLY MOBSTER 🇨🇦😎
@kh40yr
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 pm
In 1977, you could get a all you can eat breakfast buffet for $1.99. Dinner all you can eat was $2.99. Prime rib, the best freshest seafood, ect. Each one of the big casinos competed for the best food for the cheapest price. Vegas was better, much better, when the Mob ran it. It truly was paradise, for a pitance, compared to today.
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