Abstract
The Binion's Horseshoe Casino Records on Poker (1960-2006) are composed of materials related to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino. Publicity and promotional materials include press releases and press kits, newspaper and advertising clippings, photographs, advertising campaigns, and advertising copy. These records were mainly generated by the Binion press agent, Henri Bollinger. Other topics covered in the collection include the establishment of the Poker Hall of Fame, and promotional and publicity efforts by Binion's Horseshoe in the 1970s and 1980s.
Finding Aid PDF
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Scope and Contents Note
The Binion's Horseshoe Casino Records on Poker (1960-2006) are composed of materials related to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino. Publicity and promotional materials include press releases and press kits, newspaper and advertising clippings, photographs, advertising campaigns, and advertising copy. These records were mainly generated by the Binion press agent, Henri Bollinger. Other topics covered in the collection include the establishment of the Poker Hall of Fame, and promotional and publicity efforts by Binion's Horseshoe in the 1970s and 1980s. A significant amount of printed and photographic publicity material within the WSOP series focuses on women poker players and gender-related issues in the industry and covers the late 1970s to early 1980s.
Access Note
Collection is open for research. Where use copies do not exist, production of use copies is required before access will be granted; this may delay research requests. Arrangements must be made in advance to access digital files; please contact UNLV Special Collections and Archives for additional information.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in nine series:
Series 1. World Series of Poker Records, 1977-1989;
Series 2. The Poker Hall of Fame Materials, 1976-1989;
Series 3. Advertising and Promotional Materials, 1966-1989;
Series 4. Clippings, 1975-1990;
Series 5. Miscellaneous, 1982-1989;
Series 6. Photographs, 1960s-1980s;
Series 7. Artwork and Oversized Materials, 1970s-1980s;
Series 8 Audiovisual Materials, 1979-1990;
Series 9. 2004 and 2006 Additions, 1997-2006.
Biographical / Historical Note
Lester Benjamin "Benny" Binion was born on November 20, 1904 near Dallas-Fort Worth, in Texas. In 1951, Binion purchased the Eldorado Club on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada and renamed it the Horseshoe Club. He established a reputation as a casino operator for providing customers with well-received hospitality and amenities. After his conviction for tax evasion in 1953, Binion sold the majority interest in the Horseshoe to Joe W. Brown, but later regained full ownership. By 1964 the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino changed its name to Binion's Horseshoe. Benny Binion's oldest son, Jack, became the president of the Horseshoe, and his younger son, Lonnie "Ted" Binion, acted as casino manager. Although Benny not possess a gaming license, he remained listed on the payroll for decades as a consultant.
Binion first introduced tournament poker in 1949 when he arranged an extended match between poker players Nicholas Andreas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos and Johnny Moss. In 1970, Binion bought the rights to host the World Series of Poker (WSOP) from a casino owner in Reno, Nevada and began hosting the annual tournament at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The contest was open to professional poker players and amateurs alike, as long as they could pay the ten thousand dollar buy-in fee. Beginning in 1977, a separate women's event was established within the tournament. The increasing popularity of the WSOP attracted more players and potential winnings increased to an excess of a million dollars.
Binion died on December 25, 1989.
Source:
Hopkins, A. D. "Benny Binion." Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 7, 1999. Accessed March 5, 2020. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/benny-binion/
Preferred Citation
Binion's Horseshoe Casino Records on Poker, 1960-2006. MS-00325. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 1991 by Jack Binion; accession number 91-30. There was a second addition donated in 2004. In 2022, Robert Jen donated 4 VHS tapes that were added into the collection; accession number 2022-038.
Processing Note
Collection was processed by Dana Miller in 2006. In 2017, Joyce Moore revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it up to current professional standards. In 2021 and 2022 Sarah Jones updated the finding aid to reflect audiovisual material that was digitized by an outside vendor. In 2022, Sarah Jones added 4 VHS tapes donated by Robert Jen.
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Separated Materials
Some of photographs in this acquisition have been removed form the collection and placed in the Benny Binion Photograph Collection, 1920-2003. PH-0318. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.