Benny Binion

Binion, born on a farm in Texas, was a man of many talents and interests. At a young age, he was exposed to the world of gambling and horse trading. Through the years, he raised some of the best bucking and pickup horses in rodeo. ProRodeo Hall of Fame stock contractors such as Harry Knight, Lynn Beutler, Harry Vold and Mike Cervi have owned Binion horses. In 1951, he made his way to Las Vegas and soon after opened the famous Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. He later started the World Series of Poker. Binion was instrumental in bringing the NFR to Las Vegas. The event has now sold out 369 consecutive performances and continues to transform the city each December. In 1985, the PRCA named Binion ProRodeo Man of the Year. He passed away at the age of 85 in 1989.
Image: Las Vegas News Bureau Collection, LVCVA Archive