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Men and cities can be judged by their heroes, and it tells you something of Las Vegas that there are only two historic equestrian statues in the city. There's Rafael Rivera, said to be the first white man to find the Las Vegas Valley, and there's Benny Binion, said to be the first to give gamblers a fair shot at winning big.
The Binion statue suggests Las Vegas value the Western traditions of individuality, fairness and a good gamble.
In some 40 years operating Las Vegas casinos, Binion injected courage into an industry too timid to take a high bet. He forced gambling houses to change from sawdust joints to classy, carpeted casinos. He and his sons changed poker from a kitchen-table pastime into an important casino game. He was one of the boosters who made Las Vegas the home of the National Finals Rodeo. "Benny Binion did not merely create tourist attractions, but was so famously colorful that he personally became one"
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" Famous Poker Player Of All Times"
The man who started it all...
"Benny Binion" in the 1970s, on a cold day on his Montana ranch. His buffalo coat became a trademark after this photo was published in 1975
.(Courtesy Binion's Family Photo )
More of the Benny Binion story...
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