Netflix's High-Stakes Series to Chronicle Benny Binion's Casino Empire and Poker Revolution
A new Netflix series about the rise of Benny Binion and the modern casino world is in development. Based on Doug J. Swanson's book Blood Aces, the show will explore Binion's journey from illegal gambling in Texas to shaping Las Vegas and poker as we know it today. Martin Scorsese is attached as an executive producer, alongside Sylvester Stallone's and Cole Hauser's production companies.
The series will follow Benny Binion, the founder of Binion's Horseshoe Hotel & Casino. His creation of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1970 revolutionised the game by introducing the freezeout tournament format and the $10,000 buy-in. These innovations became industry standards, helping poker grow into a global phenomenon through televised events and online platforms.
Cole Hauser will star as Binion, bringing to life the man who transformed Las Vegas gambling. The project is a collaboration between Stallone's Balboa Productions, Hauser's American Outlaw Entertainment, and MGM Television. Brian Koppelman and David Levien, known for *Billions*, will serve as showrunners and writers. They'll be joined by Maria Konnikova, a best-selling author and PokerStars Ambassador, who is also involved in the production. The series aims to capture the high-stakes world of casinos and the legacy of one of poker's most influential figures.
The adaptation of Blood Aces will trace Binion's impact on Las Vegas and the poker industry. With a team of high-profile producers and writers, the series is set to bring this pivotal era of gambling history to Netflix. No release date has yet been announced.
