When you think of gangster movies and tv shows, you won’t find too many taking place in the Lone Star State.
That’s about to change though as a new television series is being developed about Benny Binion, the North Texas gangster turned casino mogul.
Binion was born and raised in Pilot Grove, just north of Dallas. His life was profiled in the book Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker, which will soon be adapted into a television series by Sylvester Stallone's Balboa Productions.
Though it is unclear if Stallone will have a role in the show, according to Deadline Yellowstone’s Cole Houser has been tapped to play Binion.
In a statement to Deadline, Stallone described Houser as "a conduit connecting many worlds, some glamorous, some dangerous, some shady, but all intriguing, while helping to build the foundation for both Las Vegas as we know it and the explosive worldwide popularity of poker.
“This is a story that will captivate audiences, and it’s a role made for Cole Hauser to play. I am proud and excited to partner with Cole to bring this story to life.”
Binion faced two charges of homicide in the 1930s, receiving a suspended sentenced of two years for one. The other was ultimately ruled self-defense. After moving to Vegas, he’s credited with the creation of the World Series of Poker in 1970.
Binion died in 1989 at the age of 85. It is unclear if the series, when it goes into production, will be filmed in North Texas.
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