From Yellowstone to the Horseshoe: Cole Hauser to Play Benny Binion

Cole Hauser, known to many Canadian fans for his role as Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, has been tapped to play the legendary Benny Binion in an upcoming television series. The project, backed by Sylvester Stallone and MGM Television, is based on the book Blood Aces by Doug J. Swanson. It tells the story of how a Texas gangster moved to Las Vegas to found the Horseshoe Casino and eventually create the World Series of Poker.

The series will highlight the history that many Canadian poker players are familiar with through the WSOP:

• Foundation: Binion moved from Dallas to Las Vegas in 1949.

• The WSOP: Created in 1970 at the Horseshoe by Benny and his son, Jack.

• The Hall of Fame: Posthumous induction in 1989 following his passing from a heart attack.

Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions and Hauser’s American Outlaw Entertainment are collaborating to bring this "New West" story to life. Stallone told Deadline that the story is "intriguing" and "captivating," emphasizing that Hauser is the perfect fit to portray the complex casino owner. Currently, a release date has not been announced.

While waiting for the Binion series, poker fans should note that gambling content is seeing a resurgence. Other projects include a Netflix drama from the creators of Rounders and a Starz series about the recent Shohei Ohtani betting controversy.