Binion's story isn't your typical Hollywood hero journey. It's more a mix of a western, a gangster chronicle, and a casino revolution. In the upcoming series, Cole Hauser, best known as Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone, will take on the role—a fitting actor who can portray both a steely gaze and the calm before the storm.
According to available information, Blood Aces is based on Doug J. Swanson's book Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker from 2014. This is important: it's not a "loosely inspired" narrative, but a story built on historical records and accounts that aim to reveal the darker sides of modern gambling's birth in the USA.
The Moment Poker Left the Shadows
From a poker perspective, Binion's legacy is clear: Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas, under his leadership, became the place where high-stakes games stopped being hidden and started being marketed as an experience. Opened in 1951, Horseshoe quickly became a magnet for "high rollers" thanks to its high limits—exactly what builds a myth and attracts money.
Then came 1970: the birth of the World Series of Poker. This series, now seen as the pinnacle of the season and synonymous with the bracelet, was born in Horseshoe. Not as a sterile corporate product, but as an idea to bring the poker community out of underground halls and into the spotlight.
Stallone as a Producer
Stallone is involved in the project through his company Balboa Productions, developing the series in collaboration with MGM Television; Hauser will not only be the lead but also one of the producers. According to media coverage, it’s a project prepared for MGM+—a platform aiming to strengthen its portfolio with striking dramatic titles.
It's interesting how Stallone frames the project: he views Binion not just as a casino boss, but as a figure connecting multiple worlds—from danger and the mob to the gray areas where today's Vegas rules were born.
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For a poker fan, Binion isn't just a historical footnote. He's the man who makes you realize the WSOP wasn't born in a marketing meeting, but in a time when reputation was built on courage, money, and often fear. And this tension is precisely why Blood Aces could resonate beyond the poker bubble.
The premiere date and full cast have not been announced, but the fact that this story is coming to light is a small celebration for the poker audience. If the creators get it right, it could be a series that explains to people why Vegas holds such weight in poker. What do you think?
Sources: Wikimedia, Neon.reviewjournal, Esquire. Amazon
