Binion's Horseshoe (1951-2004) Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

while brown operated casino, installed famous $1 million display on casino floor. sold display in 1959 , later recreated using 100 $10,000 bills benny in 1964. display became 1 of casino s attractions.

as convicted felon, benny no longer allowed hold gaming license, sons took on day-to-day control when family bought out brown. jack became president while ted became casino manager. benny assumed title of director of public relations.

in 1970, jack began hosting world series of poker (wsop) @ horseshoe. eventually, wsop became largest set of poker tournaments in world. in 1988, horseshoe expanded acquiring mint, high-rise hotel on west side of casino. expansion of casino purchase provided room binion s first poker room.

ted under constant scrutiny nevada gaming commission 1986 onward drug problems , associating known mob figure fat herbie blitzstein. banned entering family s casino. in 1998, stripped of gaming license continued association blitzstein. forced sell 20% interest younger sister, becky.

in 1998, becky behnen acquired controlling interest in casino following protracted legal battle older brother jack. battle ended jack being bought out while retaining 1% interest in casino retain nevada gaming license. jack moved on focus on horseshoe gaming holding corporation, running other casinos under horseshoe brand. behnen became president of horseshoe while husband, nick, took on manager.

behnen implemented several cost-cutting measures, of unpopular gamblers. among notable removal of horseshoe exhibit held $1 million, having been sold collector jay parrino, had served backdrop free pictures of visitors.

she made changes in distribution of money entry fees in world series of poker unpopular casino dealers, , closed popular restaurant in casino. benny had used 1 of tables in restaurant office. despite these measures, horseshoe became bogged down in debt. under father , brothers, horseshoe had reportedly been profitable casino in las vegas (it privately held, never had report earnings).

behnen attracted attention of state regulators failing keep sufficient funds available pay winners in casino cage. bob stupak drew negative publicity casino when tried redeem $5,000 casino tokens, of stored in casino s own safe deposit boxes, , becky refused honor them.

a binion s poker table signed numerous professional poker players , wsop champions

behnen s undoing, however, dispute unions represented of horseshoe s employees. in november 2002, culinary workers union , bartenders union filed complaint national labor relations board alleging behnen hadn t signed collective bargaining agreement , had fallen behind on medical insurance , pension payments. parties reached settlement in march 2003 in horseshoe signed collective bargaining agreement , agreed pay owed money. however, horseshoe fell behind on payments, leading federal judge issue 2 separate judgments ordering horseshoe pay on $1.5 million. judgments gave union right seize money if regular payments weren t being met.

however, casino stopped making payments in june. after holding off numerous times, on december 5 culinary union obtained court order authorizing seizure of $1.9 million horseshoe casino cage. seizure took place on january 9; federal marshals , irs agents seized $1 million in order satisfy debts owed southern nevada culinary , bartenders pension trust fund , hotel employees , restaurant employees international union welfare fund. seizure depleted horseshoe s bankroll, forcing close. day later, hotel shut down well, , behnen reached agreement nevada gaming commission keep casino closed until bankroll replenished. few days later, on january 23, behnen reached deal sell horseshoe harrah s entertainment.