Information Regarding the Closing of Binion's Horseshoe
The closing of Binion's Horseshoe on January 9, 2004 will be remembered as
a watershed moment in the history of Las Vegas. I cannot remember the
last time that a Las Vegas casino has been closed due to the intervention
of a legal authority. This is a remarkable event, and it's worth
chronicling.
This web page serves to aggregate all the available news reporting
about this event. If you know of some news regarding the closing/transition
of this historic place, let me know. Send email to:
npc@jetcafe.org
with links to additional information. Note, though, that many news sources
report the same story using the same text, so please take the time to make
sure you're not sending me a link to an article I already have from a
different source.
It should be immediately obvious that I did not write these articles. They
were written by fine journalists with the support of their fine publications.
All I am doing is aggregating this information in one place. I take no
credit for the writing, but hopefully some find this aggregation effort
to be valuable. It is also my hope that the publications themselves
appreciate the (minor) additional exposure that this page gives to those
fine organizations. I also have to acknowledge the use of
Google News in the creation of this
page.
I have divided the information here into categories:
Binion family feud over control of the casino:
- February 29, 1996
- Binion Siblings Bicker About Control
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 29, 1996
- Jack Binion Defends His Management of Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- August 6, 1996
- Horseshoe Dispute May Reach Settlement
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- September 10, 1996
- Jeff German: Binion Family Still Fighting for Control of Horseshoe Club
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 24, 1998
- Binion's Sister Asks for Stand-in
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 29, 1998
- Binion Factions Gain More Time for Buyout
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- June 8, 1998
- Sister to Buy Binion's Casino
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- June 11, 1998
- Behnen Approved as Sole Owner of Binion's Horseshoe Club
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- June 12, 1998
- Sister's Horseshoe Buy Approved
from the Las Vegas Sun.
Pre-closing signs the Horseshoe was in trouble:
- January 20, 2000
- Horseshoe Retires $1 Million Display
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 19, 2001
- Casino Denies Report Alleging Financial Woes
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- August 30, 2001
- Casino Sued for Fremont Street Assessments
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 8, 2002
- DOWNTOWN GAMBLING: Horseshoe, Fremont Case Escalates
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 28, 2002
- Seizure of Binion's Assets OK'd
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 29, 2002
- Binion's to Appeal Fremont Ruling
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- February 11, 2002
- Nevada Court Delays $1.9 Million Seizure from Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 11, 2002
- DOWNTOWN GAMING: Court Allows Binion's Asset Seizure
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- April 11, 2002
- Nevada High Court Says Binion's Should Pay Fremont Street Dues
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 18, 2002
- Binion's Owner Denies Casino in Financial Straits
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- August 9, 2002
- DOWNTOWN GAMBLING: Horseshoe Makes Changes
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- October 2, 2002
- Shortfall Reported at Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- October 14, 2002
- Owner Binion Denies Horseshoe is in Trouble
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- December 6, 2002
- Casino Sued by Landlord
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 29, 2003
- Binion's Horseshoe at Center of Federal Investigation
from KLAS TV.
- February 11, 2003
- Source: Binion's Owner Forced to Inject Funds
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- November 21, 2003
- Binion's Horseshoe Owner Negotiating With Nevada Power About
Past-due Bill
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- December 2, 2003
- Tax Bill for Horseshoe: $5 Million
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- December 14, 2003
- From Norm Smith's column titled,
NORM: Medley Inks Deal With The Orleans
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- December 18, 2003
- AP Exclusive: Harrah's Aims for Binion's Horseshoe Name in Nevada
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- December 23, 2003
- More Signs of Bad Times at Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- December 31, 2003
- Horseshoe May be Shopping Series
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 7, 2004
- Binion's Hit With Second IRS Lien
from the Las Vegas Sun.
The Horseshoe closes:
- January 9, 2004
- Federal Agents Raid Binion's Horseshoe
from KLAS TV.
- January 9, 2004
- Agents Shut Down Gambling at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas
from the Associated Press, reported in the
Las Vegas Sun.
- January 10, 2004
- NEWS FLASH: Binion's Horseshoe shuts down temporarily
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 10, 2004
- CASINO IN DEBT: Binion's Forced to Close
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 10, 2004
- Gaming Commission Suspends License of Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 10, 2004
- Vegas Landmark Casino Shuts Down After Federal Agents Seize Cash
from the Associated Press,
reported in the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 10, 2004
- U.S. Marshals Shut Down Famed Las Vegas Casino
from Reuters.
- January 11, 2004
- BINION'S HORSESHOE: Casino to Remain Closed
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 13, 2004
- EDITORIAL: The Horseshoe Closes Down
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
-
- January 18, 2004
- Where the Real Players Gambled
from the Daily Racing Form.
The Horseshoe is sold:
- January 12, 2004
- Harrah's Entertainment Says it's Buying Binion's Horseshoe Casino
from the Associated Press,
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 12, 2004
- Horseshoe May be Sold to Harrah's
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 12, 2004
- Harrah's to Buy and Reopen Binion's Horseshoe
from Reuters.
- January 12, 2004
- Harrah's Reaches Agreement in Principle to Acquire Binion's Horseshoe; Creditors of Las Vegas Casino Would Receive Payment
from PRNewswire-FirstCall,
reported by Yahoo!.
- January 13, 2004
- Will Harrah's Flip the Horseshoe?
from KLAS TV.
- January 13, 2004
- Harrah's Buying Binion's Horseshoe
from KRNV TV.
- January 13, 2004
- Harrah's to Buy Binion's Horseshoe
from KVBC TV.
- January 13, 2004
- TO THE RESCUE: Harrah's to Buy Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 13, 2004
- Harrah's Expected to Sell Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 14, 2004
- Talk of Harrah's Buying, Selling Binion's Horseshoe
from KVBC TV.
- January 14, 2004
- Harrah's to Buy Landmark Hotel Casino
from the Associated Press as reported by the Miami Herald.
- January 16, 2004
- Harrah's Goes All In With its Horseshoe Buy
from the Las Vegas Business Press.
- January 16, 2004
- Horseshoe Sales Agreement Unsigned
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 16, 2004
- Harrah's waiting for Behnen signature
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 18, 2004
- Casino Notes
from the PressOfAtlanticCity.com.
- January 18, 2004
- Harrah's Buys Horseshoe for $50M
from the Sun Herald.
- January 19, 2004
- Harrah's Buys Shutdown Binion's Horseshoe
from KTVU TV.
- January 19, 2004
- Official: Binion's Deal Progressing
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 22, 2004
- Harrah's Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Binion's Horseshoe
from the Harrah's web site.
- January 23, 2004
- BINION'S HORSESHOE: Deal with Harrah's finalized
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 28, 2004
- Harrah's Shooting for March Opening of Binion's Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- February 1, 2004
- Harrah's Signs Agreement to Buy Binon's
from the Arizona
Republic.
- February 18, 2004
- Harrah's Buys Binion's
from Gambling Poker.
- February 19, 2004
- DOWNTOWN: MTR Gaming to Acquire Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 19, 2004
- Speedway Owner Teams on Binion's Horseshoe Purchase
- February 19, 2004
- MTR, Harrah's Plan to Open Binion's on or About April 1
from Dow Jones Business News reported by
Yahoo!.
- February 20, 2004
- DOWNTOWN DEAL MEETS RESISTANCE: Under Binion's, Line Drawn in Sand
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 2, 2004
- April 1 Target for Opening Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 3, 2004
- Gaming Regulators Consider Sale of Closed Casino
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 4, 2004
- MTR Gaming Group Must Meet Conditions to Reopen Hotel-Casino
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 4, 2004
- MTR Gaming OK'd for Binion's Purchase
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 4, 2004
- Historic Binion's Horseshoe to Reopen Next Month in Las Vegas
from USA Today.
- March 5, 2004
- Gaming Control Board Approves New Licenses
from The Daily Racing Form.
- March 6, 2004
- DOWNTOWN: Offer Imperils Horseshoe Sale
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 8, 2004
- Harrah's Confident Deal Will Close
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 9, 2004
- Harrah's Confident Purchase of Horseshoe Will Go Through
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 9, 2004
- New Sale of Binion's Parcel Set
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 10, 2004
- CLOSED CASINO: Legal moves snarl Binion's deal
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 10, 2004
- MTR: Binion's Deal on Track
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 11, 2004
- DOWNTOWN: Horseshoe Deal Snag Resolved
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 11, 2004
- Binion's Sale Closes
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- May 8, 2004
- Harrah's Discloses the Price of Series
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Horseshoe reopens:
- April 1, 2004
- DOWNTOWN ICON REOPENS: Binion's is Back!
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- April 2, 2004
- Binion's Horseshoe Reopens
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- April 2, 2004
- Binion's Reopens to Fanfare
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 9, 2004
- Rebirth of a Classic
from the Las Vegas Mercury.
About the 2004 World Series of Poker:
- January 14, 2004
- World Series of Poker Will Happen but Location Remains Undecided
from the Associated Press,
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 15, 2004
- Harrah's Keeps World Series of Poker
from KLAS TV.
- January 22, 2004
- Harrah's to Continue World Series of Poker
from Yahoo!.
- January 24, 2004
- GAMBLING: Series Still in Cards at Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 29, 2004
- When to Fold'em
from the Las Vegas Mercury.
- March 5, 2004
- Mayor: Poker Tourney Stays
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 5, 2004
- World Series of Poker to Remain at Horseshoe
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 5, 2004
- World Series of Poker Stays Downtown
from KLAS TV.
- April 17, 2004
- Harrah's All In for First Tourney
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- April 21, 2004
- World Series of Poker Back in Las Vegas
from KVBC TV.
- April 21, 2004
- More Than 1,000 Could Seek Title
from the Pahrump Valley Times.
- April 23, 2004
- Poker Takes Center Stage at Revamped Binion's
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- April 25, 2004
- World Series of Poker May Be Shared Between Casinos
from KVBC TV.
- May 2, 2004
- WORLD SERIES OF POKER: Showing their Cards
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- May 13, 2004
- Lost in the Shuffle: Chroniclers Scouring for Rare World Series of Poker Mementos
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- May 21, 2004
- NORM: Benny Binion Hit it Big With Poker
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- May 21, 2004
- Locations for Poker Championship Set
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- May 22, 2004
- More Hoping Their Chips Come In
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- May 24, 2004
- NORM: Chris Not in the Money This Year
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- May 28, 2004
- Finalists Vie for $5 Million Prize in Las Vegas Poker World Series
from the Associated Press
reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
- May 29, 2004
- 'Fossilman' Wins World Series Of Poker
from KTVU TV.
- May 29, 2004
- Connecticut man wins Poker World Series, $5 million
from USA Today.
- May 29, 2004
- Raymer New Champion of World Series of Poker
from the Associated Press
reported by Fox11 TV, Reno.
- May 29, 2004
- Patent lawyer draws winning hand in World Series of Poker
from CNN.com.
- May 29, 2004
- Attorney Crowned $5 Million Poker Champ
from CNN Money.
- May 29, 2004
- No-Limit Hold'em World Championship - FINAL TABLE by BJ Nemeth
from CardPlayer magazine.
- May 30, 2004
- Lawyer Wins World Series of Poker, $5 Million
from MSNBC.
- May 31, 2004
- Road to Poker Fame, Glory May Go Through the Internet
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- June 2, 2004
- Atlanta Man Cashes in His Chips... for $2.5M
from Atlanta's Channel 46 TV.
- June 3, 2004
- Harrah's Benefits From First Poker Series
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- June 4, 2004
- Fossilman, the Rip Van Winkle Kid and Other Laughs from the World Series of Poker
from the San Francisco Chronicle.
- June 4, 2004
- Not in the Cards
from Slate.
- June 4, 2004
- Poker Champ Flies Home in No-frills Style
from 1010Wins.com.
- July 5, 2004
- Stacking the Deck
from Forbes.
Horseshoe becomes Binion's:
- March 10, 2005
- Binion's Stays, but Horseshoe Name Doesn't
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 10, 2005
- Harrah's Officially Exits Binion's Management
from the Las Vegas Sun.
Other stories about the Horseshoe:
- January 12, 2004
- Binion's Horseshoe Closed, Employees Out of Work
from KVBC TV.
- January 12, 2004
- DOWNTOWN GAMING: Closure Sends Dark Message
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 13, 2004
- Binion's Not Cashing Chips Yet
from KLAS TV.
- January 13, 2004
- JOHN L. SMITH: Binion's Employees Say Casino's Failure Not
Difficult to Explain
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 13, 2004
- Columnist Jeff German: Binion's Failure Inevitable
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 14, 2004
- Lights on at Binion's Horseshoe, Jobs in Question
from KTNV TV.
- January 14, 2004
- Lights on at the Horseshoe, Casino Remains Closed
from KVBC TV.
- January 14, 2004
- Sale of Horseshoe May Cost Downtown
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 14, 2004
- Jeff German: Behnen, Horseshoe Were Victims of Changing Times
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 15, 2004
- Culinary Union Helping Binion's Employees
from KLAS TV.
- January 15, 2004
- Binion's Employees Told to Seek Unemployment
from KRNV TV.
- January 15, 2004
- Binion Workers Have Jos, Benefits
from KTNV TV.
- January 15, 2004
- Knappster: Horseshoe Closure Could Play Role in Binion II Trial
from the Las Vegas Mercury.
- January 15, 2004
- Closed Casino's Staff Gets Support
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 16, 2004
- John L. Smith: Horseshoe's Sinking Fortunes Obvious to Many Toward the End
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 18, 2004
- The Horseshoe Closing: Blame Becky
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 19, 2004
- Experts Blame Becky for Binion's Closure
from KRNV TV.
- January 20, 2004
- JOHN L. SMITH: Downfall of Horseshoe Shoves Benny Binion's Legend Into Past
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 20, 2004
- CASINO CLOSING: Horseshoe Employees Getting Aid
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 28, 2004
- HORSESHOE WOES CONTINUE: Sources: Medical Bills Unpaid
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 29, 2004
- HORSESHOE WOES: Asbestos Brings Air of Concern
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- January 30, 2004
- Gaming Briefs for Jan. 30, 2004: Asbestos Won't Delay Reopening, Harrah's Says
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- January 31, 2004
- Upaid Insurance Claims at Binion's Horseshoe Probed
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 3, 2004
- Binion's Workers to Still Get Aid
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 4, 2004
- Salvation Army to Help Unemployed Casino Workers
from KVBC TV.
- February 9, 2004
- JANE ANN MORRISON: Older Workers Lament Binion's Loss, Face Added Uncertainty Because of Age
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 12, 2004
- Horseshoe Reimbursement Agreement
from KLAS TV.
- February 14, 2004
- CLOSED CASINO: Waiver Letter Riles Ex-workers
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 22, 2004
- INSIDE GAMING: Hotel Can't Count on Counsel's Credentials
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- February 25, 2004
- Binion's Denies Claim in Health Lawsuit
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- February 27, 2004
- Troubled Downtown Casino Looks Set to Open
from the Las Vegas Business Press.
- March 3, 2004
- Once Gone, But Now Taken On
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 4, 2004
- Binion's Horseshoe to Reopen Next Month
from KVBC TV.
- March 12, 2004
- New Binion's Owner Plans to Target 'Hard-Core' Gamblers
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 14, 2004
- INSIDE GAMING: Operators Perhaps Thinking Ill of Illinois
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 15, 2004
- Fremont Street Experience Recoups Dues
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 19, 2004
- Binion's buyer touts tables in West Virginia
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 23, 2004
- Harrah's Pushing Renovation for Binion's Reopening
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 26, 2004
- Staff Steps Lively Toward Return to Horseshoe
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- March 26, 2004
- Harrah's Puts on a Really Big 'Shoe
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 26, 2004
- Another Claim Settled for Downtown Casino
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- March 26, 2004
- Excitement Building for Workers, Officials
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- May 11, 2004
- Harrah's Aims for Binion's Bonus
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- May 11, 2004
- MTR Gaming Discloses Details of Horseshoe Sale
from the Las Vegas Sun.
- November 9, 2004
- MTR taking Binion's reins in March
from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
This page Copyright Nick Christenson, 2004--2005, All Rights Reserved.