Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov ESTTA Tracking number: ESTTA178902 Filing date: 12/05/2007 IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Proceeding 76590702 Applicant Jack B. Binion Applied for Mark BINION' S Correspondence Sana Hakim Address Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP P.O. Box 1135 Chicago, IL 60690-1135 UNITED STATES [email protected], [email protected] Submission Appeal Brief Attachments Appeal Brief for Binion's.pdf ( 90 pages )(9553467 bytes ) Filer's Name Kathryn Starshak Filer's e-mail [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Signature /Kathryn Starshak/ Date 12/05/2007 IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
Applicant: Jack B. Binion ) ) Serial No.: 76/590,702 ) ) Mark: BINION’S ) Alina S. Morris ) Examining Attorney Filing Date: May 6, 2004 ) Law Office 105 ) )
Commissioner for Trademarks P.O. Box 1451 Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
APPLICANT’S APPEAL BRIEF
Applicant Jack B. Binion (“Applicant”), by his attorneys, hereby submits this Appeal
Brief in support of Application Serial No. 76/590,702 for the mark BINION’S.
882940/D/1 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ...... 3 INTRODUCTION ...... 4 __.._M‘___....._...~,._._..__..._.._..___.._...__..__,.A,,.,_.__..,,,,,.. STATEMENTS OF FACTS ...... 4
ARGUMENT ...... 6
A. A_Qp1icant’s Mark is Not Confusingly Similar to the Cited BINION’S
ROADHOUSE Mark ...... 6
Q App1icant’s Mark Is Not Primarily Merely A Surname ...... 7
1. The BINION’S Mark Has Secondary Meaning In the Gaming Industry ...... 7
CONCLUSION ...... 9
8 82940/D/1 2 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page
Inwood Laboratories, Inc. v. Ives Laboratories, Inc., 456 U.S. 844, 214 U.S.P.Q. 1(1982) ...... 7
882940/D/1 3 I. INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to a Notice of Appeal filed March 21, 2006, Applicant, Jack B. Binion
(“Applicant”), has appealed the Trademark Examining Attorney’s refusal to register the mark
BINION’S on the grounds that the mark is allegedly confusingly similar with Registration No.
1,996,212 for the mark BlNION’S ROADHOUSE. In addition, Applicant hereby appeals the
Examining Attomey’s refusal to register the BlNlON’S mark under Section 2(e)(4) of the
Lanham Act on the ground that the mark is primarily merely a surname. Finally, Applicant
appeals the Examining Attomey’s finding that the BINION’S mark has not acquired
distinctiveness. Applicant respectfully requests that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
(“T.T.A.B.”) reverse the Examining Attomey’s decision on all three issues and approve the
captioned application for publication.
II. STATEMENT OF FACTS
On May 6, 2004, Applicant filed an intent to use application to register the mark
BINlON’S for “casino and gaming services” in Class 41 and “hotel, restaurant and bar services” in Class 43. On December 8, 2004, Applicant received an Office Action wherein the Examining
Attorney initially refused registration of Applicant’s mark under 15 U.S.C. § 1052(d) on the grounds that the BINION’S mark is allegedly confusingly similar to prior Registration No.
1,996,212 for the mark BlNlON’S ROADHOUSE covering restaurant services. In addition, the
Examining Attorney refused registration of the BINION’S mark on the grounds that the mark is primarily merely a surname under 15 U.S.C. § 1052(e)(4). Finally, the Examining Attorney asked Applicant to provide his citizenship and to submit a standard character claim.
Thereafter, Applicant responded to the Office Action arguing against the citation of
Registration No. 1,996,212 by deleting “restaurant services” from the subject application. In
882940/D/l 4 addition, Applicant responded to the surname refusal by submitting arguments that the
BINION’S mark has acquired distinctiveness in the gaming industry. Applicant also entered
Applicant’s citizenship and the requested standard character claim into the record.
In an Office Action dated June 29, 2005, the Examining Attorney withdrew the surname
refusal under Section 2(e)(4), accepted the standard character claim and noted that Applicant
entered his citizenship into the record. However, the Examining Attorney continued and made
final the Section 2(d) refusal based on the BINION’S ROADHOUSE registration. Before
Applicant could respond to the June 29, 2005 Office Action, the Examining Attorney issued a
superseding Office Action on September 21, 2005 in which the Examining Attorney reinstated
the surname refusal stating that Applicant submitted insufficient evidence to establish that
Applicant’s mark has acquired distinctiveness.
On March 21, 2006, Applicant filed a Request for Reconsideration and a Notice of
Appeal arguing against both the likelihood of confusion refusal and the surname refusal. On
May 11, 2006, the Examining Attorney issued a fourth Office Action clarifying that the surname refusal issued in the September 21, 2005 Office Action was not a final refusal because Applicant had submitted additional information on the secondary meaning of the BINION’S mark.
Nonetheless, the Examining Attorney made final the refusal to register the mark in the May 11,
2006 Office Action both on the grounds of a likelihood of confusion with the BINION’S
ROADHOUSE mark and on the grounds that the mark is primarily merely a surname and has not acquired distinctiveness. In response, Applicant submitted a motion to the Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board requesting that the Board reinstate the Appeal filed by Applicant on March 21,
2006. The Appeal was subsequently reinstated, and Applicant seeks this Appeal against the
882940/D/l 5 background described above. Specifically, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examining
Attorney’s final refusal to register the BINION’S mark be reversed.
III. ARGUMENT
A. APPLICANT’S MARK IS NOT LIKELY TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CITED MARK
Applicant submits that Applicant’s mark is not likely to be confused with the BINION’S
ROADHOUSE mark (the “Cited Mark”) because Applicant owns prior registrations for marks
containing “BINION” for casino and restaurant services.
1. Applicant Owns Prior Registrations For Marks Containing Binion.
Applicant owns the following prior registrations for marks containing “BINION”:
JACK BINION’S (Registration No. 2,150,944), issued in 1998 for restaurant services;
JACK BINION (Stylized) (Registration No. 2,444,446), issued in 2001 for casino, hotel, restaurant and bar services; and
JACK BINION’S (Stylized) (Registration No. 2,607,096), issued in 2002 for casino and gaming services; hotel, restaurant and bar services.
True and accurate copies of the TARR records for these registrations are attached herewith as Exhibit A. These prior registrations all contain the term “BINION” and were allowed to register not only for casino, hotel and bar services, but restaurant services as well.
Indeed, Applicant’s prior registrations were approved for registration despite the existence of the
Cited Mark, which issued in 1996, two years before the earliest of Applicant’s prior registrations.
Thus, at the time the PTO determined that there was no likelihood of confusion between the
Cited Mark and Applicant’s prior “BINION” marks. In this instance, there is even less of a risk of a likelihood of confusion between the BINION’S mark and the Cited Mark because the subject application does not cover “restaurant services,” the only services covered by the Cited
Mark. Moreover, Applicant’s prior “BINION” marks have co-existed on the Principal Register
882940/D/ 1 6 with the Cited Mark for a number of years. Thus, consumers have been able to distinguish
between Applicant’s “BINION” marks and the Cited Mark. Accordingly, there should be no
likelihood of confusion between Applicant’s BINION’S mark and the Cited Mark. Applicant
respectfully requests that the 2(d) refusal based on the BINION’S ROADHOUSE mark be
Withdrawn.
B. APPLICANT’S BINION MARK IS NOT PRIMARILY MERELY A SURNAME
The Examining Attorney has refused registration of the mark BINION’S on the grounds
that the mark is allegedly primarily merely a surname. In response, Applicant respectfully
submits that the BINION’S mark has become distinctive of Applicant’s services.
1. Applicant’s BINION’S Mark Has Become Distinctive Of Applicant’s Goods And Services.
An applicant can overcome a Section 2(e)(4) refusal by submitting evidence that the
mark has become distinctive in commerce of the goods or services set forth in the application.
_S_e§ Trademark Manual of Procedure § 1212.03 (citing 37 C.F.R. § 2.41). Such evidence may
include “appropriate evidence tending to show that the mark distinguishes such goods.” Id. In
order to prove that a mark has acquired secondary meaning, “a manufacturer must show that, in
the minds of the public, the primary significance of a product feature or term is to identify the
source of the product rather than the product itself.” E Q. (citing Inwood Laboratories, Inc. v.
Ives Laboratories, Inc., 456 U.S. 844, 851 n.l 1, 214 U.S.P.Q. l, 4 n.l1 (1982)).
Applicant’s BINION’S name has certainly become distinctive of Applicant’s gaming
services. Indeed, Applicant has nationwide recognition as a leader in the gaming industry.
The BINION name has been synonymous with the gaming industry for a number of years. The legacy of the BINION name began in 1951 when Binion’s Horseshoe Casino opened
882940/D/1 '7 in downtown Las Vegas. §_e_e Exhibit B. At that time, Applicant’s father, Benny Binion,
changed the gaming landscape forever by raising betting limits at his casino, promoting poker
before it became popular, and being the first to send limousines to the airport to pick up
customers and give slot machine players free drinks. §e_e iii. All of these services are now
expected, and in fact automatically offered, in any Vegas casino today. Applicant has continued
his father’s successes in the gaming industry and the legacy of the BINION name, and has
become a living legend in his own right.
As referenced in Applicant’s Office Action response dated June 7, 2005, Applicant was
inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2004, which was an honor bestowed on Applicant for
his fifty years of work in the gaming industry. §§§ Exhibit C. As proof of the Binion family’s
long reign over the gaming industry, Applicant’s induction into the Hall of Fame came fourteen
years after his father’s induction. In his fifty years in the gaming industry, Applicant has been
the owner of three casinos that lead their markets in gaming revenue. He was also part of one of
the largest casino transactions of all time when his Horseshoe Casino was sold to Harrah’s
Entertainment. §e_e Q. As a result of the history of the Binion family in the gaming industry, the
BINION’S mark has become much more than a surname. Instead, the BINION name is instantly
recognizable as a historic institution in the gaming industry.
Moreover, Applicant has received an extensive amount of national press coverage over
the last few years. In this coverage, the media has consistently referred to Applicant as BINION.
Attached as Exhibit D, for example, are true and accurate copies of several articles about
Applicant that have appeared in a number of national newspapers. Each of these articles uses the
name “BINION” in the headline to refer to Applicant. -,:.~ 882940/D/ 1 8 .~,:,;,.._...... -M..._,».____....-..__.._.....,...__....._._.,._..,.._4. As a result, the public has been inundated with uses of BINION to identify Applicant and
his services. Applicant’s national exposure over the past few years is strong evidence that the
consuming public primarily associates the name BINION with gaming services, and the legacy
associated with Applicant’s family. Consequently, the primary significance of BINION to the
relevant public cannot be merely as a surname.
IV. CONCLUSION
For all of the reasons set forth herein, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examining
Attorney’s final refusal to register Applicant’s mark be reversed and that the captioned
application be approved for publication.
Dated: December 5, 2007
Sana Hakim, Esq. Kathryn Starshak, Esq. Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC P.O. Box 1135 Chicago, Illinois 60690-1135 Phone: 312-372-1121 Fax: 312-827-8185 Email: [email protected]
Certificate of Mail
1, Sana Hakim, hereby certify that the foregoing Applicant’s Appeal Brief is being filed with the Electronic System for Trademark Trials and Appeals (ESTTA) on this 5”‘ day of December 2007.
(Signature)
882940/D/l 9 EXHIBIT A Latest Status Info Page I of2
Thank you for your request. Here are the latest results from the TARR web server. This page was generated by the TARR system on 2006-03-10 18:52:47 ET
Serial Number: 75293765 Assignment Information I
Registration Number: 2150944 Assignment Information Mark (words only): JACK BINION'S A
Standard Character claim: No
Current Status: Section 8 and 15 affidavits have been accepted and acknowledged.
Date of Status: 2003-08-21
Filing Date: 1997-05-19
Transformed into a National Application: No
Registration Date: 1998-04-14
Register: Principal
; Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 101
Ifyou are the applicant or applicant's attorney and have questions about this file, please contact the Trademark Assistance Center at [email protected] Current Location: 900 -File Repository (Franconia)
Date In Location: 2003-08-25
. LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) OF RECORD
1. BINION, JACK B. _.....__.._.,_._.__.?_...,_._.._-..._.?__..-.‘_..,.,...... Address: BINION, JACK B.
United States Legal Entity Type: Individual Country of Citizenship: (NOT AVAILABLE)
. GOODS AND]OR SERVICES
International Class: 042 restaurant services http://tarnuspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regseFserial&enW75293765 3/10/2006 Latest Status Info Page 2 of2
First Use Date: 1996-12-31 ' First Use in Commerce Date: 1996-12-31
. Basis: 1(a)
.______.______ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . ___.._.______(NOT AVAILABLE)
MADRID PROTOCOL INFORMA'I‘ION
(NOT AVAILABLE)
PROSECUTION HISTORY 2 003-08-21 - Section 8 (6-year) accepted & Section 15 acknowledged
2003-08-04 - PAPER RECEIVED
2003-05-15 — Section 8 (6-year) and Section 15 Filed
2003-05-15 - PAPER RECEIVED
1998-04-14 - Registered - Principal Register
1998-O1-20 - Published for opposition
‘ 1997-12-19 - Notice ofpublication
1997-11-04 - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)
1997-10-30 - Case file assigned to examining attorney
CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION _ Correspondent 2...... _...M_...- —_j—f——--»-- RACHEL L. ST. PETER ICE MILLER ONE AMERICAN SQUARE BOX 82001 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46282-0002
_
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This page was generated by the TARR system on 2006-03-10 18:52:39 ET
Serial Number: 76030131 Assigy1_nent Information
Registration Number: 2444446 Assignment Information
Mark flwwaa
(words only): JACK BINION
Standard Character claim: No
Current Status: Registered.
Date of Status: 2001-04-17
Filing Date: 2000-04-20
Transformed into a National Application: No
Registration Date: 2001-04-17
- Register: Principal
Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 107
Ifyou are the applicant or applicant's attorney and have questions about this file, please contact the Trademark Assistance Center at demar ssi tanceCenter us to. v
Current Location: 900 -File Repository (Franconia)
Date In Location: 2001-05-25
..__.______.._____.______.._..______.___.__.....___.___.._ LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) OF RECORD
1. BINION, JACK B.
Address: BINION, JACK B. 4021 MEADOWS LANE C/O CHAD BLACKHAM; CONWAY, STUART &WOODBURY ._TF|.,_...U.._I http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regse1=serial&entry=7603013 1 3/10/2006 . Latest Status Info Page 2 of 3
LAS VEGAS, NV 89107 United States Legal Entity Type: Individual Country of Citizenship: (NOT AVAILABLE)
GOODS AND/OR SERVICES
International Class: 042 _ Casino, hotel, restaurant and bar services First Use Date: 1997-10-19 First Use in Commerce Date: 1997-10-19
Basis: 1(a) _
ADDITIONAL INFORMA'I‘ION _...______._____.______,______Name Portrait Consent: The name "Jack Binion" identifies a living individual whose consent is of record.
Prior Registration Number(s): 1 996212 21 50944
— MADRID PROTOCOL INFORMATION
(NOT AVAILABLE)
__..____._____.______._._____.__.___.___._.______PROSECUTION HISTORY
2003-08-01 — PAPER RECEIVED
_ 2001-04-17 - Registered - Principal Register
2001-01-23 - Published for opposition
2000-12-22 - Notice ofpublication
2000-10-30 - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)
2000-10-26 - Examiner's amendment mailed
2000-10-09 — Case file assigned to examining attorney
2000-09-25 - Case file assigned to examining attorney ..-::u.... CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION .....,...‘..‘...... _‘,._....._..._....._...... _
http://tamuspto.gov/servlet/ta1:r?regser=seria1&entry=7603O13 1 3/10/2006 Latest Status Info Page 3 of3
Correspondent C. Joe Miller (Attorney ofrecord)
C. JOE MILLER ICE MILLER DONADIO & RYAN ONE AIVIERICAN SQUARE, BOX 82001 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46282-0002
______.______.______
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This page was generated by the TARR system on 2006-03-10 18:52:29 ET
Serial Number: 76215953 Assignment Information
Registration Number: 2607096 Assignment Information
Mark
(words only): JACK BINION'S
Standard Character claim: No
' Current Status: Registered.
Date of Status: 2002-08-13
Filing Date: 2001-02-23
Transformed into a National Application: No
Registration Date: 2002-08-13
Register: Principal
. Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 107
If you are the applicant or applicant's attorney and have questions about this file, please contact the Trademark Assistance Center at r demarkAs ' ceC nter us to. ov
Current Location: 900 -File Repository (Franconia)
Date In Location: 2002-08-27
LAST APPLICANT(S)IOWNER(S) OF RECORD
_,._,..______.______._____.______.__..____v.____.__..______..1. BINION, JACK B.
Address: . BINION, JACK B. 4021 MEADOWS LANE C/O CHAD BLACKHAM; CONWAY, STUART &WOODBURY http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?rcgse1=serial&entry=76215953 3/10/2006 .,7,,, Latest Status Info Page 2, of3
LAS VEGAS, NV 89107 United States Legal Entity Type: Individual Country of Citizenship: (NOT AVAILABLE)
GOODS AND/OR SERVICES
International Class: 041 Casino and gaming services First Use Date: 2000-11-15 First Use in Commerce Date: 2000-11-15
Basis: 1(a)
International Class: 042 Hotel, restaurant, and bar services First Use Date: 2000-11-15 First Use in Commerce Date: 2000-11-15
Basis: 1(a)
_ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION _._____..____.______.._.______
record.Name Portrait Consent: The name "JACK BINION" identifies a living individual whose consent is of
' Prior Registration Number(s): 2150944 ,
MADRID PROTOCOL INFORMA'I‘ION
(NOT AVAILABLE)
. PROSECUTION HISTORY
2003-08-04 - PAPER RECEIVED‘
2002-08-13 - Registered - Principal Register
2002-05-21 - Published for opposition
2002-05-01 - Notice ofpublication 2002-02-13 - Approved for Pub — Principal Register (Initial exam) 2002-01-30 — Examiner's amendment mailed
2002-01-24 - Case file assigned to examining attorney ....._..?fi.r._:,.T.~.._.-—«-—_----~«----.4-<-'-‘W-w-4‘-'--—"“*‘*’""'"""“‘—‘"‘""‘“‘ http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?1-egse1=serial&entry=76215953 3/10/2006 Latest Status Info Page 3 of3‘ l
2001-09-1O - vUnresponsive/Duplicate Paper Received
2001-07-24 - Non—fina1 action mailed
2001-07-23 - Previous allowance count withdrawn
2001-07-16 - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)
2001-07-16 - Case file assigned to examining attorney
__.____._____.._____._____.______._.____.______CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION _.__..__._____.______._.______.______..___.__.____._ Correspondent Rachel St Peter (Attorney ofrecord)
RACHEL ST PETER . ICE IVDLLER 1 AMERICAN SQ BOX 82001 INDIANAPOLIS IN 46282-0002
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=se1-ial&ent1y=7621 5953 3/10/2006 EXHIBIT B 1:l1mon‘s Gambling Hall & Hotel - Promotions
Benny Binlon .2, (1904 -.1989) ' The Cowboy Who Pushed the Limits" A Texar knew a thing or two about horse trading and gam _ laid his claim on Fremont Street and changedthe -of Western hospitality...
New Men and cities can be judged by their heroe and it tells you something of Las Vegas that there only two historic equestrian statues in the city. Tl’ Rafael Rivera. said to be the first white man to fir Las Vegas Valley, and there's Benny Binion, saic the first to.give gamblers a fair shot at winning big " " ' ' The Binion statue suggests Las Vegans value the Western traditions of individuality. fairness and a good gamble. in some 40 years operating Las Vegas casinos, Binion injected courage into an industr timid to take a high bet. He forced gambling houses to change from sawdustjoints to c carpeted casinos. He and his sons changed poker from a kitchen-table pastime into ar important casino game. He was one ofthe boosterswho made Las Vegas the home 0' National Finals Rodeo. .
personallyBinion did notbecamemerelyone.createtourist attractions, but was' so famously colorful fl1at he
Born in 1904 in Grayson County, Texas, about 60 milesnorth of Dallas, Binion was seriously ill often as_a child. His parents decided to let him accompany his father on journeys as .a horse trader, hoping the outdoor life would restore his health. it did, but! nevergot around to attending school. ‘
He became skilled at horse trading and skilled at gambling in the campgrounds where traders gathered awaiting market days. "Everybody had his little way of doing somethir the cards," he told an oral historian from me University of Nevada in the 1970s. ''I wasr long on wisin' up to that. Some‘ of'em had differentways of markin' 'em, crimpin' 'em .. There was-fellows that hadwhat theymll 'daub' they put on dice. And you could roll dice on a layout, and this daub caused the dice tohesitate, slow down, and turn up on number. I never did leam how to do any ofthese tricks like cheat people, which I'm l of proud of now. But I was always pretty capable about keeping from gettin' cheated." First the boy ran errands for gamblers. Then the young man steered customers to clandestine gambling joints. Meanwhile. he made money in the bootlegging business. . 1928 he opened an illegal "policy" game, or lottery. in 1936 Dallas unoificially adopted.a policy oftolerance toward minor vices, the better host the Texas Centennial celebration. Police wouldn't put gamblers out of business, b would raid and fine them from time to time. Binion had crap tables built specially in ma‘ labeled as containing hotel beds. "if we had half an hour's notice we were going to be raided, we could clear it out," Binion told a reporter in the '70s
Even in-the Depression, Dallas was flush with oil money. During World War II, entire divisions of Gl's teamed to shoot craps.in barracks and motor pools, and many headec ..-...... -...,_...... ,...... _...... ,._—»-—«~»---——----j’-*—'—-‘ Dallas to buck the bigger banks and honest dice‘-Binion was known to provide. This riverof money also attracted-pirates. in those days Binion carried three pistols -— _ http://vvww.binions.com/history.htm 2/21/2006 Binion's Gambling Hall & Hote1_ - Promotions v ‘ .‘ _._ 2 - Page~2 of5
two .45 automaticsand a smail,.38 revolver. in 1931, Binion suspected fellow bootlegs realFrankbadBoldingman, had astolenreputationsomeforliquorkillingandpeople.byargued withstabbinghim inthem,"a backrelatedyard. ‘ThisBinion'sguysow: 'i late Lonnie "Ted" Binion, after Benny's death. "He stood up real quick and Dad felt like was going to stab him, and rolled back offthe log, pulled his gun, and shot upward fror li ground. Hit him through the neck and killed him."
l l
reputationBinion onlywas'sogot atwo-yearbad. suspended- sentence,. said Ted,' because. - the deceased's I . . i Five years later, Binion shotand killed a rival numbersioperator, Ben Frieden. Wounds Binion wascleared on grounds ofself-defense. _ i - No otherkillings were ever officially attributed to Binion-, though a numberof his rivals - a number of his allies — diedin a gang warthat broke out in 1938. ‘ ‘ - .
Herbert Noble was called "The Cat,“ for he "was thought to have nine lives." in 1946 he‘ shot in the back: in 1948 his car was riddled with bullets; in 1949 he found dynamite wi the starterof his car and later got shot in another high-speed chase. But when somebc tryingblew upto hisevencar,thekillingscore.his wife instead ofhim, he blamed Binion andspentthe restoff i Noble was a pilot, and in 1951 a police officercaught Noble rigging an airplane with tw large bombs. one high explosive and one incendiary. He had a map with Benny Binion Vegas home — the structure that still stands on Bonanza Road — clearly marked.
andNoblemachine-guneswped ortiresurvived— before11 knowna bombattemptsplantedtoin frontkill himof-‘-hisinvolvingmailboxbombs,got himautomaticin 1951. !I = Binion denied responsibilityforthe eventfulness of Noble's final years,and particularly l the death of Noble's wife. By then a reform administration had encouraged Binion to le l Dallas, and he settled in Las Vegas. ‘When I realized how good it could be up here, is ‘Let ‘em have Texas.',"- . ' - Binion opened a club on Fremont Street in partnership with J.K. Houssels, but soon sp with him, though they remained lifelong friends. The split was over Binion's" desire to increase the limit on the.size‘of bets the house would accept. When heopened his owl place in 1951 , naming it Binion's Horseshoe, he set the craps limitat $500 - 10 times ' maximum at other casinos: - .- . ' - -‘ . . Most gamblers use some sort ofsystem. Commonly, ifa gamblerwins a $10 bet, he w then bet theoriginal $10, plus the $10 won. All gamblers dream of rlding- a streak of lut a system into real money ..~. but casino owners have nightmares about the same event ....__._.___Z:..._..___. The house limit made it harderto do. A person betting $10 and doubling it each time h
The new limits made Binion's famous immediately, and othercasinos were forced to re § their own limits accordingly. g ‘ i DaveSomeBennanintheindustrysaid if hedidn'traisedgo alongit, he'dwillingly.kill him,""Herelatedwas_TedgoingBinion,to raisea fewthe.kenoyearslimitbefore‘to $ ‘l V
Over 40 years the Binions-pushed the limits ever upward to $10,000. Gamblers who f_e going higher could do so, as long as they did it on the first bet.'Back in 1980, a player http://WwW.binions.com/history.hi:,m _ _ 3 _ ,2/21/2006 Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel -' Promotions
won.Bergstrom"Bet $90,000came backand won.overthe' nextfew years.‘ He bet- $590,000‘andwon". Bet'$'190,_0( ‘linen, in November 1984, he brought in awhole million._He deposited it-in the casino c and Tedtold him he couldbetiton anygame. Ted recalled; "He run_'a fewfeetahead, a crap table, pnt his fingeron the table and said ‘$1 million on'th'e don't'pass.'
over"it wasIn onethe oomeoutroll. rol' so the shooterwanted a‘seven, and they come‘ ace-.si_x.'It' was' '
on"I feltfire!"likeelectfioityrun through me,And Bergstrompulied hisfingeroff' thattable like i
Three months later Bergstrom committed suicide. "Butyon know, he was still $400,00( winner," pointed outTed. He knew Bergstrom bythen. and believed_he died notfor mc but for love. ‘ ' ' ' _ . I . 1
"Everybodywas oomping big players, but Benny comped little players," noted Leo‘Lew makewho waslittlecomptrollerpeople feelatlikeBinion'sbig people.’and later“ ran Strip resorts. "He said, ‘if‘you wanta get I
http://www.binions.com/history.htm _ V V A ' .2/2-1/2006 Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel — Promotions ' 1 I ‘Page 4 of5
The Binion's, by contrast,.promoted poker. Their original world seriesgameswere win: take-all challenges (today the prize money is .split among .severai.finali_sts) and were nc invitational's but open to anybody with $10,000 to buy-in. The open aspect was the sec success; it lured rich suckers and unknown poker prodigies, but it also. lured legendary such as Amarillo Slim Preston and Johnny Moss, who hoped to pluck the newcomers. usually did, but sometimes the new guys won and themselves became legends, and ti“ hope kept them coming back year after year.
The Binionfs devised special rules to force the game to a resolution before everyone gr bored with it, making it an event whichcould be, and was, nationally televised. Vlfithin 2 years tournament pokerwas played everywhere poker was legal. And the positive nati attention brushed offthe lingering grains of dlsrepute, so that nearly every casino adds game to the attractions. -
One of Binion's final gifts to Las Vegas was the hand he played in attracting the Nation Finals Rodeo to Las Vegas every December. A .
While the second generation of Binion's evolved into modern businessmen and buslne women, Benny remained a Texas tough‘ guy witheclecflc tastes..Benny wore gold coir buttons on his cowboy shirts, but was never seen in neckties. He didn't shave every de Despite felony convictions which normally prohibit ownership of fireanhs, he canted at one pistol all his life and kept a sawed—off shotgun handy.
in the 1970s, ifthe police needed lots of money on short notice to execute a drug sting operation, they oould.get it from Binion's casino cage. Yet he _didn't ask the police for s ordinary services as arresting a slot cheater or pickpocket caught on the,premises. Thr were handled by burly,_surly security guards, and theperpetrators rarely sinned again their casts were removed. - ' g _ -
Binion ran what was thought to be the most profitable casino in Las Vegas (privately hr never had to report earnings publicly),but he didn't "keep an office; he did business f_ron booth in the downstairs restaurant. Nobody needed an appointment to talk to him; they asked him personally for his ear, and usually got it. when he invited one to sit down ar have a.bowl of the Horseshoe's famous chill, the guest was_often.a senator orfederalj And just as often, itwas some old Texan from a one-windmill spread, trading stories oi rodeos and crap games. , .
"He was a guy. you could shake hands with, and feel you had met a real American _ aracter," said Howardschwartz, who has documented the development of Las Vega an editor at "Gambler's -Book_Club_. "that-was what made the place. it wa_sn't the. classie joint in town, but itwas -an authentic and unique experience. When you met Benny Bin you felt you'd been part of history." ' - by Ad Hopkins (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
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http://wWw.binions.com/history.htm 2/21/2006 ,__,. EXHIBIT C
Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation Ad ...... '...... lnside Cover Argosy Gaming CompanyA'd ...... ; .' ...... 2 Isle of Capri Casinos, inc. Ad ...... _ ...... 3 Evening Program...... '...... 4 . Ice MillerAd ...... 6 Host Committee ...... 7 MGMMlRAGEAd ...... , ...... '.s Special Thanks: Major Underwriters ...... 9 Barrick Gaming.Co'rporationAd ...... ' ...... '...... 10 ' Dinner Sponsors ...... 11 ' Marsh USA, Inc. Ad ...... 12 international Game TechnologyAd _...... _ . . . -...... 13 Gaming Hall of Fame inductees _ Industry Leader: Fred Benninger ...... 14 Entertainer: Don Rickles L . . . . .- ...... ' ...... 16 ' .lridustry Leader: Jack Binion . .'...... _. . .18- Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Ad ...... - . . . .20 National Center for Responsible Gaming ' ...... 21 _ American GamingAssociation Ad‘...... 22 ' - Gaming Hall of Fame ...... ' ...... 23 Swidler B_erlin Shereff Friedman, LLPAd ...... ". . . . '. , ...... 24- _ _ The Venetian Ad ...... '...... 25 _ Boyd Gaming'Cor'poration Ad ...... 26 -Ascend Media Gaming Group Ad ...... 26 Gremiiiion & PouAd ...... 27 HRSolutionsAd ...... ' WhiteConstructionAd ...... '..28 -Res Publica‘Group‘Ad ...... 2e Smoot Construction Ad . . ., ...... ‘ ...... 28 . Friedmutter Group Ad ...... ‘...... _...... Inside Cover RPMAdvertisingAd ...... _...... ; .Back Cover
1.17,..,
Featuring Olga; 3_re{¢_{eski_,n; '“ 'with ' 3rd Dimension ' _;
Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Hearts,‘Balsamic Cipollini, ‘ Spicy Olives with Petit‘Fennel Salad Citrus Dusted Day Boat Scallop, Seared Foie Gras on Lobster-Mushroom Ragout and Sweet Potato Carpaccio Pan Roasted Veal Steak on Cabrales Semolina Cake with Buttered Calabaza, Vwld Ramps_ and Red Papaya-Black Bean Confit
Assorted Peti Four Sec & Truffles MiniaturePastries ' Tropical Fruits Poached in lnniskillin Eiswein Coconut & Chocolate Rum Creme Brulee Cacao Barry Tanzania, Valhrona Manjarie, and Noel. Ivory Fondues with Assorted Fresh Fruit Brochettes, Key Lime-Pepper, Date-Nut and Coconut-Macadamia Pound Cakes
‘.,‘.,.....A4. Green Valley Ranch Resort Estancia Ballroom June 11, 200.4
6p.m. . =4.
Master of Ceremonies Frank J. Fahrenkopf,,Jr. President and CEO. American Gaming Association Honorary Co-chairman, 2004 Gaming Hall of Fame 2004 Gaming Hall of Famelnductees Fred Benninger (posthumously) Don Rickles. Jack Binion
_ at Whiskey Beach Violinist Olga Breeskin 3r_d Dimension . ice Miller wouid like to‘ congratulate Jack Binion . ii I for his indnction into the j Gaming Hall of Fame
ICEMI LL.ER® LEGAL & BUSINESS ADVISORS lt’s.a complex world: Be advised.“
One American Square, Box 820 Indian ' Indiana 46282—_ 2 7] 236-2100 www.icemiIIer.com
r '1 . '_' . ,‘ ; _;. . ’ . , '. “.7 ' V. ‘-1. ' \. ._/
,' 2" . ,_ .1 . A -'3n 3I7£\J."_:x'“ ;',"I/,~.?.'6 ,- \‘ -\""“E"-"V ' r -‘-;-,..-‘...'..‘=_f' . Frank J. Fahrenkopf,' Jr., American Gaming Association _- Donald D. Snyc'ler,_Boyd Gaming Corporation
’-"..,:..s:;—': 1‘- .~‘-_,-.. :'~i--~-_'_-~'-._.:.:-:. . . ,_',.- ;P:- .-. .... j.-..- .j;_-«- ‘ "Rina Armeni, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada Glenn Christensen, Station Casinos, Inc. Jeff Devito, Station Casinos, inc. ‘Blair Farrington, Farrington Productions Dino" Mantini, Green Val.le}/ Ranch Resort Steve Paladie, Farrington Productions Sandy Peltyn, Martin & Peltyn, Inc:
1 A mw .n.I 0 .nomD.t Charactei: A gentleman. A man who made an indelible
impressionpn cou_ntless hearts. A humanl°ta1'.~ia
A bold man of vision.
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MAJOR UNDERWRITERS _____.._.:.__._...... l_..____..._.._.._.r_..._...__..1.__.__....-...... -_._._...__._ll
The American Gaming Association and the.Nation_al Center for Responsible Gaming? would like to thank the following major underwriters of.the 16th annual Gaming Hall of. Fame Charity Dinner and lnduction Ceremony for their generous support and patronage:
R. ¢"’ RC, 3 65 H. O rnonucjrxous
‘Roger and Sandy Peltgrn
_ or NEVADA 0N@§m%® ...-..A_._.._.«.«-—.--~A--«A
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DINNER spoNsoRs* $195563 . $3,500 $1,0flfl~=$€,999 Horseshoe Gaming Holding .Alliance Gaming Corporation_ 'c°rp°rafi°'.' " .AristocratTechnologies, Inc. Barrick Gaming Corporation . Coca Cola Bottling - $9,599 ' Atronic Americas Corporation, Las Vegas g . Boyd Gaming Corporation Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Deloitte & _Touche ~ ‘ Global Gaming Expol Gremillion -& -Pou . $8,990 . Reed Exhibitions’ . Isle of Capri Casinos, lnc. MGM MIRAGE JCMAmerican Corporation Swidler Berlin Shereff Mandalay Resort Group Under $1,0G@ ‘F”°dma"' LLP Mikohn Gaming Corporation Ascend Media Gaming Group $7,993 MGN, lnc. _ Burton M. Cohen ' Bank “America Pricevyaterhousecoopers LLP . Goldman, Sachs & Co. - Riviera Hotel and Casino -HR Solutions . $53503 _ A -‘Station Casinos, lnc. Jones Vargas Ffiedmuttef F'3'°”p Tropicana Resort & Casino Kqnaml Gaming, lnc. _ Lionel Sawyer & Collins $4,599 . QlE::i\l;:g\/aVsil)liams (Harrah’s Potomac Counsel, LLC ArgosyHarrah'sGamingEntertainment,CompanyInc.- WMS Gaming ma Res Publica Group -' _-lntemational Game‘ Technology Young Electric Sign Company' . Sprint Marsh USA, lnc. ' $2-5900 - $39499 The WadeGroup The Venetian '05 Miller White Construction
. $4,933 - RPM'Adveitising‘ Smoot Construction
‘As of June 3, 2004
- ‘J ;. . ' . I 5 _ . ' . . l "' _ ' It takes a persbhflof extraordinary P insight and achievementto be 1 recognized as an industry leader. P Congratulations to
tcfkigiflinign Fred Bmteningaer
200l.l.il.nduct-.ees'yto. the i i ’ ‘h Gaming Hall of Fame
Las Vegas ‘Atlantic City ‘ Reno. — : Kathy Bryant . Steve Batzer ‘ Patrick Tatro ' 5 .Sr. Vice President ‘ - Sr. Woe President - Sr. Vice President National Gaming Practice ‘ ' Global Gaming Practice ‘ H Nevada Head of Office “‘ '
1. ed fiieidie - A Gaming. Hall of I‘_ame's » newest inductees Binion A‘ = . Den lliekles ‘ _ . Fred Qenningefr tpesthumeuslyl dfoue talents helped to shaped - v- our induslly. and we -fllaljll you.
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FRED eewwmeea . Fred Benninger, who is'being inducted into the "Gaming Hall of Fame posthumously, is best known for. developing the current MGM Grand Hotel and Casino ‘in Las Vegas, but his distinguished career included a V multitude of accomplishments in gaming as well as the entertainment and airline industries. _ g Benninger’s involvement in gaming began in 1967,. ' when" he served as president of .lntern_ational Leisure Company. During-his tenure, he built the international Hotel —— now the Las Vegas Hilton —— and_ oversawthe ' renovation ofthe Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas. In 1971, Benninger accepted the position of chainnan of Metro-Goldwyn]-Mayer studios and ’ served in that role for nearly a decade, developing and building the . original MGM Grand Hotel — now Bally's Las Vegas — and serving as _ the hotel’s chairman and CEO from 1971 until "1982. He also built the former MGM Grand Hotel in Reno, Nev. — now the Reno Hilton. Benninger becamechairman-and_CEO of MGM Grand, lnc., in 1986 and remained in that position until 1991-, when he left to serve on the . executive committee of the company's board of directors. in addition to ' his gaming career, Benninger was executive vice president and general . ‘ manager of Flying 1"iger.i_..ine_s for 21 years and served as chairman of Western Airlines from 1972 until 1978 and president of Tracinda» Corporation from 1982 until 1987.
.,,..,_'...,",_...:_._...... _._..
DON RIGKLES A legendary entertainer,‘ Don Rickles is renowned.‘ for his improvisational, insult-styleof humor. He has appeared in showrooms in Atlantic City, N..'l.; Las Vegas; and Reno, Nev., as well as in concert halls ‘throughout the United States and around the world.-
Ricklesgot his big break in 1965 during.his first perfonnance on Johnny Carson's “The Tonight Show.” As a guest on “The Dean ‘Martin Show” during the late 1960s, he became famous for targeting his insulting - humor at celebrity audience members. His first Las Vegas appearance was in 1959, and-he has headlined there every year since. A graduate of the American Academy of DramaticArts, Rickles has been highly visible on television and in movies. His big-screen appearances -include Casino; my Story; by Story‘2; KeIIy’s Heroes; Run Silent, Run Deep; and Rat Race. He starred in prime—time series ' forABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, and during the 1970s and 1980s he ~ hosted or co-hosted seven television specials. Rickles also has starred in live stage productions and has two best-selling comedy albums. He has parlayed_.his career in entertainment to support numerous charitable ’ ' causes as well.
JACK BINION For nearly 50 years, the innovations and style of Jack Binion have helped establish him as a leader in the gaming industry. Binion has always recognized the ’ importance of giving his guests a top gambling _experience along with personalized customer service. _ He is‘comn1ittedto.being visible and available to: his customers, and his hands-on management style has ‘endeared him to both customers and employees. -inheriting the Horseshoe legacy from his father, Benny - . _ Binion —- a 1990 Gaming Hall of. Fame inductee — the _ younger Binion developed the Horseshoe Casinointo a Las Vegas icon. The Horseshoe eameg a reputation as aquintessential gambling “joint,” and Binion cemented that image.in _1970 when Horseshoe hosted The World Series of Poker, the. first-ever gambling tournament. . In 1994, Binion established the privately held Horseshoe, Gaming Holding _ Corporation ‘and opened the Horseshoe Casino‘ in Bossier City, La. Oneiyear later. the second Horseshoe Casino opened in Tunica, Miss., I and both casinos soon led their markets in gaming revenue. In 1999, Horseshoe Gaming purchased the Empress _Casinos in Joliet, lll., and- Hammond, Ind., and Binion quickly sparked double-digit revenue increases at those properties. in 2001, Binion sold the Empress Casino in Joliet‘and converted the Empress in" Hammond into his third Horseshoe ’ "property, which became his third market leader. l'n-September 2003, less than 10 years after starting the company, Binion entered into acontract to sell Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation and its properties to. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., for $1.45 billion. Once finalized, it would be one of the largest casino transactions ever.
The following companies and organizations are generously supporting the NCRG: Alliance- Gaming Corporation Isle of Capri Casinos, inc. Argosy Gaming Company ' _ JCMAmerican Corporation’ Aztar_Corporation ' Mandalay Resort Group . _ ' Boyd Gaming Corporation _ MGM. MlRAGE Caesars Entertainment, inc. Palms Casino Resort Community Foundation of_Westem Nevada‘ Station Casinos, lnc. Hard Rock Casino and Hotel The Riviera Hotel and Casino Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. ' WMS Gaming Inc. International Game Technology
Induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame, a tradition that began in,_1989, is the highest honor‘ accorded by the gaming‘-entertainment industry. Each year, individuals who have distinguished themselves by significant contributions to the development of the industry are inducted ‘at the annual dinner. 1989‘ .1994 - zooo "William I-larrah* Bu¢l* and Jean* Jones _ J. Terrence Lanni Warren Nelson ' Frank Modica _ Wayne Newton Jay'sarno* . 1995 - Harrah's Entertainment, Grant Sawyer lnc.: Special Achievement E. Parry Thomas Len Ainswqrth ' Award for Responsible ' Gaming Burton Cohen . . "1990 Del Webb*:'S ecial Donald_Trump Achievement ward for Bill Bennett* _ Innovation’ Benny Blnion~* 1996 bonald Carano Jackie Gaughan . 2001 "Barron Hilton Paul Endy-* Paul Anka Raymond Smith*' Michael Rose - Rick Hill - ‘ .U.S.- sen. Harry Reid .1 991 1 991 ' Boyd Gaming Sam Boyd* Charles Mathewson ‘Corporation: Special Frank sinatra* v _ AchievementAward for James Crosby Responsible Gaming Kirk Kerkoriail. 1-998.: Park Place Don Laughlin Lud Corrao . Entertainment Blll Pennington (now Caesars J.K. Horissels, Jr. - William “sin Recid* Entertainment, Inc.): Anthony llllarnell, ll Special Achievement Award for Responsible Gaming 1992 Siegfried 8; Roy John Ascuaga Thomas Young, Sr.* 2002 - Sol Kerzner Merv Griffin 1 999 ~ Claudine Williams Shannon Bybee*: Jack E_ntratter* Special Achievement Award _i99s Steve Lawrence for Responsible Gaming & Eydie‘Gorme William Boyd Elaine'Wynn 2003* ' Henry Cluck Tom Jones ' Harvey* and Phil Satre -Llewellyn Gross ‘-‘Deceased Leonard Prescott 23
Congratulations ack
on being inducted % irito an_other’ha_l'|' of fame.
You’ve been in ours for a long time.
LMarHn Nussbaum _ .§|LER - and.your friends at . Swidler Beglin Shereff Friedman, LLP
it Jtzz/ft / ck, i, you don ’t know what‘ you 're missing.
‘ 6 J Congratulations to ack Binion oniheing inducted into. the Gaming Hall of.Fame; fromyourfiiends at ’ RES PUBLICA GROUP -
SMoorr CONSTRUCTION .EST,ABLI_SHE'D 1946 Columbus‘! Indianapolis - Washington General Contractor - Construction Management
“Performing with Excellence to Maximize Client Success”
We congratulate Jack iiinion on theiviell-deservedirecognition and I induction ii1to the Gaming Hall of Fame.
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to be your . “Builder ofChoice ” on the Hammond project. ._‘.lwM,}..,...‘.,_,..,,:,,_F.,...._,...._.-
EXHIBIT D
..Em. 5%
PROFILE: JACK BINION
casinofoumamom E3; August 2005 $5: Casinomurnal ‘E33
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i I i . xhgaébcut the-_old A_ _Lia“s casino, frqni the‘. .. ‘éper to thg'daj:k_mahogan;§ V ,=.tq1d this was a. ' dine-Binjo'r5;?solda.to Harrah’s, _
_1_;1og Eq3s1et.€;.iij;_Homeshoe _ than foul‘ de¢ade’s:-—ii11ti1-j‘ - afitf-‘H61's&ehoe' Hammond in th"é prdpzfty t<_i sifstérfiecky ;‘- uly'1-S198i—B"2_f1ié1’1’s . 1 p‘!and- ar_'ea’ wereg_ene1'afi}1g yijrfixfs-a,moIig_thE_;:bu'si‘é5t_and" _ . '1‘vzv‘éf1u$-of nearly $340» Ofitziblé casinos‘ in Soujtlife_fn;_ ' " _ _
’ rsrééé Uiflikew other casinp. bbéses, 'H6w.dijd=Bi‘r_xi'on do it? Simply put, " ‘ gtgt-1hejHors_eshoe coimépt ' "tBe'B11,a,1_ ms -never" sweated a,'ctiQn_ and . Fficpefience hatvé‘-{no idiaiij fitst bet was his 'fathei¥s-1;as‘Vegas='ga1;:b1ing was--IacI_<‘Bi‘nion, albfigwith a. 1 ') tgte’' thé His casinos V -é‘.-33 (iéasinoloumai E Augus2'2005 '5'
!JNTERTOPS,SPA- , U§TGM‘CAB"WE’_FRY ~ . Poker Stars Soon to be on Big {Screen As Well As Small
Gaming News Gaming Gurus Weekly Issues
SEARCH NEWS: :1 UBSCRIPTION SIGNUP Let Casino City Times keep you informed! Poker Stars Soon to be Email Address: on Big Screen As Well As Small l:l 6 July 2005
BURBANK, CA --(PRESS RELEASE) -- when you go 9 Ranked Online Poker to your local multiplex, you Sites might expect to see Robert Duvall (The Godfather), Drew Barrymore (Charlie's Angels) and Eric Bana (Troy) on the silver screen. But in 2006, poker fans will be able to see more than two dozen of their favorite poker icons sharing the screen with these three Hollywood stars.
Playing themselves or fictional counterparts in esteemed director _._....._..___._._.-..... Curtis Hanson's upcoming Lucky You--the first Hollywood film to capture the excitement and drama of the worldwide poker li phenomenon--are Jack Binion, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Hoyt Corkins, Eli Elerza, Antonio Esfandiarl, Sam Farha, Maureen Feduniak, Chris Ferguson, Ted Forrest, Phil Hellmuth, Chau Glang, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Dan Harrington, John Hennigan, Karina Jett, John Juanda, Jason Lester, Erick Llndgren, Mlnh Ly, Mike Matasow, Daniel Negreanu, David Oppenheim, Max Pescatori, Matt Savage, Erik Seidel, Huck Seed, Mimi Tran, Cyndy Violette, Marsha Waggoner and Robert Williamson III. Brunson, Lester and Savage also served as consultants on the film.
Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile, Wonder Boys) directed Lucky You from an original screenplay he co-wrote with fellow Academy Award winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, All, The Insider). The film explores the story of a professional poker player (Bana) who gets a lesson In life from a struggling singer (Barrymore) as he collides with his estranged father (Duvall) in the http://www.casinocitytimescom/news/article.cfm?contentlD=151912 3/21/2006 Poker Stars Soon to be on Big ‘ feen As Well As Small " Page 2 of3
world of high stakes poker in Las Vegas. "With millions of people watching poker weekly on television, it was important to capture the authenticity of the game and its players," said Hanson. "To that end, the poker tables in ‘Lucky You’ are
primarily populated by poker players, not actors pretending to be poker players. Our stars trained for months in order to convincingly play side by side with top poker professionals cast in fictional roles." The filmmakers shot for seven weeks in Las Vegas this past spring. The casinos featured in the film include the Bellagio, Blnions and the Aladdin. Upon their return to Los Angeles, shooting continued on Hollywood sound stages that housed perfect replicas of Benny's Bullpen at Binion's (where the WSOP was played until 2004) and the Bellagio poker room (circa 2003). After arriving at the Bellagio set, Daniel Negreanu exclaimed: "It blew me away. It was very strange andsurreal. It's like this is the exact Bellagio poker room." The scenes depicted at the Bellagio poker room included Bana and Duvall participating in the "Big Game" with such players as Sam Farha, Barry Greenstein, Chau Giang, Mlnh Ly, Ted Forrest and Erick Lindgren. "One of the things that made it totally realistic," notes Negreanu, "is the fact that it's a lot of the real pros that actually play in that game."
Among the many other poker scenes in the film are some extended sequences that take place at a fictional World Series of Poker (circa 2003) and feature a myriad of recognizable pros. Jason Lester, who finished fourth in the final event at the World Series of Poker in 2003, served as an on set consultant for the film's depiction of the
WSOP. According to Lester: "This movie is getting it right. I can't
recall any movie ever really showing high stakes gambling in such an authentic manner. Having real poker players makes it more realistic and that's so important for any kind of gambling movie."
Similarly, Erick Lindgren described the Benny's Bullpen set as "Unbelievable! I just feel like this movie is going be great because I see how authentic everything is." Lucky You will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. Please Go To http://www.views.frogspace.net/lucky << CASINO CITY NETWORK: Casino City | Onllne Casino City | Casino City Times | Casino City Press I GBDonline Casino City is an independent directory and lnfonnation service not afflllated with any casino. Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a Casino or placing a wager. There are hundreds ofjurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet. YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to http2//www.casinocitytimes.com/news/a.rtic1e.cfin?conl;ent1D=151912 3/21/2006 Poker Stars Soon to be on Big. " _-reen As Well As Small » Page 3 of3 play any particular games or place any particular wager. : é Terms of Usg Privagy Policy Copyright © 2002-2006 Casino City, Inc. or Its affiliates. _ § i l~ i s E i Ii §.5 .l : 5 i I I . I : ‘i E ¥ 1 i 5 f3 TI I a" :I 4n ‘E 2 5 I_§ 1 i- 5, . i 5 := ‘ I !3 I i 1' 5 lI ;'5 VI: r‘ i :. zi % 1: § http://wWw.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfln?contentID=151912 3/21/2006 Las Vegas SUN: Binion eyeing. casino opportunities Page 1 of 3 - 7 - §gr1 News - fign Accent; Binion eyeing LV casino opportunities - sgn Business I - Sign Sgoggs By Liz Benston -git Binion signed a four-year noncompete agreement with Harrah's preventing him f from pursuing a casino project anywhere in the continental United States _' §§-L9§;"§, except for Las Vegas, which was specifically excluded from the deal. l - Tennis 3 http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbiri/stories/sun/2005/feb/04/518239659.himl 3/15/2006 Las Vegas SUN: Binion eyeing.--T-V casino opportunities Page 2 of3 5NT€ERT-NNMENT 1 Binion declined to specify specific projects he might be looking at but said he .-.-odan-5 A 3, E has already passed on a potential deal with Phil Ruffin, the owner of the New -Lasmm Frontier hotel and casino. Ruffin is developing a condominium tower with '1l‘iM91i££ Donald Trump near the aging property and has discussed a partnership to i ' redevelop the rest of the site. Binion said he is no longer in talks with Ruffin. _SERir'lCES l - Classifieds ' Gaming analysts said Binion left behind a stellar track record that would enable i - Ygllgyg Pages him to run a major resort should he decide to take that step. - Subscribe - Contact Us l "I think he's capable of doing just about anything," said Eric Hausler, an analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group. "He's certainly run Las Vegas properties and regional properties and run them just about better than anybody." i l "One reason Harrah's bought the properties is that they were so well run," iI Hausler said. "They were Class A assets in every market in which they operated." Deutsche Bank Securities analyst Marc Falcone said wouldn't be surprised if Binion eventually made a name for himself on the Strip. ll "It would be a great addition of someone with his vision and caliber to the Strip," Falcone said. "He's one of the greatest operators in the gaming . business. He has a tremendous track record and he certainly knows how to run a high-quality facility with tremendous customer service." i To help along the sale the sale of his riverboat casino company, Binion has agreed to make public appearances for the company at Harrah's poker tournaments nationwide. it's an informal arrangement without pay that allows him to make a few appearances in his free time. Binion ran the World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe before Harrah's purchased the legendary event and is considered one of the fathers of the modern poker tournament. He is also a well-known face in an industry that has , thrived on secrecy and mystique. 5 He oftenappeared in television and print ads for his riverboat casino company, Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp., welcoming gamblers with high table limits and the tagline, "lf you don't believe it, then 'You don't know Jack."' Binion said he had to be convinced to appear in front of the cameras but said the advertising campaign became a success. Binion also said he's interested in exploring casino opportunities abroad, including in Asia, but hasn't yet struck any development or consulting deals. I » l three"The marketLas Vegaspotentialgamingis huge,"companieshe said.areTheinvolvedChinesein dealsprovinceto buildofMacau.major where E resorts, is the biggest potential opportunity in the gaming industry, he said. li ''I made a decision notto go there," Binion said of Macau. ''It was a mistake." % I Binion said Harrah's has done a fairly good job keeping gamblers coming back to the Horseshoe properties. ‘ ...._....___.'...... _._.a..._....__....._...... _._..,_...__:...... ,.....__.1__.._...... http2//www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/feb/04/518239659.html 3/15/2006 Las Vegas SUN: Binion eyeing EV casino opportunities Page 3 of3 "For the most part the management has stayed and so far I think it's worked " I fairly well," he said. ' l Harrah's is known for cultivating slot players but dislikes the uncertainties of the high-roller table game business. The company will be thrust deeper into the high-end table business with the purchase of Caesars Entertainment lnc., which is expected to be complete by July. "l think Harrah's wants to be a complete casino company," Binion said. ‘Whether they want them or not they're there. Obviously this is part of their plan." ' ~ Binion also_praised two of his fellow casino owner-operators for their contributions to Las Vegas and the resort business. "By far the most dynamic guy in Las Vegas over the years is Steve Wynn." Sheldon Adelson's success at the Venetian also has wowed the industry, particularly the astronomical value of the stock he owns in his newly public company. l "HeBinionrecognizedsaid. "There'sthe conventionan old gamblingbusinessexpressionmuch earlierthat youthancaneverybodytell a trapperelsedid,"by i his pelts. The dollars speak forthemselves." I I l Problems or guestions? Read our policy on privacy and cookies. All contents © 1996 - 2006 Las Vegas Sun, Inc. l Printable text version 1 Mail this to a friend A member of the Greenspun Media Group, publishers of: In Business. Las Vegas Life, Las Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas Weekl Ralston/Flash, Vegas Golfer. VEGAS Magazine. Vegas.oom _.._-.___..__.,.-.....__._j..._...... __.__.-...... ‘....,.. ._.,.‘.;‘.?x,.»...... I.. http://wwwlasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/feb/04/5 18239659.html 3/15/2006 Southern Gaming Magazine Page 1 of 3 Executive Spotlight: Jack Binion ‘ Free E-Newsletter! Si A GAMING GREAT TALKS TO SOUTHERN GAMING TH E H3 LE xi JJ‘—: E}.13; Jack Binion is one ofthe most recognized people in the history of casino gaming. His father, Benny Binion, opened the Las Vegas Horseshoe Casino in 1951. Many say the .elder Binion was the first person to give gamblers a fair shot at winning big, taking any size bet at any time. Through many years ofwatching his father shape Las Vegas, Jack Binion opened Horseshoe properties in Bossier City, La. and Tunica, Miss. and has had a stronghold in the gaming business ever since. Southern Gaming and Destinations recently caught up with Jack Binion to discuss everything from the growth ofgaming to the World Series of Poker. Southern Gaming: When you first got started in the gaming business, did you ever imagine it exploding into what it is today? Jack Binion: N0. When I got in the gambling business, Nevada was the only legal site and the federal governinent wasn’t very happy about it. In 1958, the total amount ofmoney taken in by the state of Nevada was about $164 million. That is amazing today because that is about six http://www.southerngaming.com/tips-summerO5-16.asp 3/15/2006 Southern Gaming Magazine .- ._ ~ _ _,_ Page 2 of3 or seven months’ take ofwhat our singlecasino does in Tunica. We do more business in six or seven months in ’I‘unica today from one property than the entire state of Nevada did for the whole year when I broke in. SG: Your father, Benny Binion, was one ofthe most influential people in Las Vegas history. He was the first to lay carpet in a casino and also to cater to the poker players, attracting names like Amarillo Slim and Johnny Moss. What influences from your father have contributed to your success? JB: Basically, I inherited all ofhis operating philosophies but not so much his strategies. His philosophy was how I based all ofmy operations. The overriding thing was to always give the customer the best deal, to serve the customer. He put more emphasis on that than profit. It was kind oflike (the casino) was his home, and he was inviting people to his home. It really worked. SG: When you opened your properties in 1994 and 1995 in Bossier City and 'I‘unica, both properties became the most profitable casinos in their respective markets. What initially drew you to the South and what contributed to your success there? JB: Well, Iowa had just opened and it was crowded. Then, theyvery surprisingly passed gambling in Mississippi. We went down and looked at it the very next week. From there, we went to New Orleans and looked there, but basically, that is how we first got into the Southern areas. We were pretty excited. We were very pleasantly surprised with the 'I'unica market because we watched it and had it earmarked even before Splash opened. In fact, some good friends of mine opened Splash, so I was very.anxious to get into that market and bought a piece of property. Then, things got overbuiltjust about the time we started building and everyone was going broke. Ballys went broke when they werejust north of Moon Landing, then the President wentbroke, the Lady.Luck had to leave, Treasure Bay went broke, Southern Belle went ' i broke. So, a lot ofthese places were going broke right about the time when we were opening. It was almost a pattern that a place would open with a big bangfor about sixweeks and then theywould drop off ,_ basicallybecause the capacitygot ahead ofthe market. But, we opened, , hit the ground running and never looked back. From day one, we were the best one there. I actually expected more out ofBossier City, I knew __ itwas going to be a good market. g ;« SG: The Jack Binion World Poker Open has blossomed into one ofthe I A bestpokertournaments in the world. Thisyear’s event awarded a record $'-‘(AR million in nrize monev. What has contributed to the http://www.southerngaming.com/tips-summerO5-16.asp 3/15/2006 Southern Gaming Magazine Page 3 of 3 _-...._.. .,u.—"_, ._....._...... _..r_...... _.-..._.._,. . .'...... - ...._. _...... ___. _-.._ —. .__.. growth of that event? JB: Well, number one, we had a lot ofrapport with the poker players. Ken Lambert, who is now working for Harrah’s, ran our poker room. He was an excellent poker man who really understood poker, how to run it and had a personal relationship with a lot of the players. The other thing people don’t really realize is that poker has traditionally been much more popular in the South than anywhere else. Poker has a long tradition in the Southern United States, states like Texas and Mississippi. So, we knew it was going to be a good tournament. SG: After all of the growth over the past 20 years, where do you see the gaming business heading in the future? JB: Well, Vegas continues to grow which is hard for me to believe. I do think that Asia will be coming on in the future, especially Macau. Then, there will be some growth, but that spurt ofgrowth you got when all of those places went legal in the early 1990s. I don’t see a bunch of locations getting gambling anytime in the foreseeable future. So, I don’t thinkyou will see those giant growth leaps forward. SG: Wereyou there to see Johnny Moss.and Nick the Greek play their heads—up battles? JB: Well, they played over a long period oftime. Doyle Brunson has said that when he first started playing poker, Moss was the best poker player he had ever seen. Now I don’t know ifhe still feels that way. And obviously, Nick the Greek was a good poker player. But Moss beat him. Nick kept trying to beat him, but Moss would keep beating him. But it wasn’t a tournament, as people might think. Back then, nobody had even heard ofa poker tournament. I mean, how could anyone ever have a poker, or any kind of a gambling tournament? The first year or two we had the World Series of Poker, it all came down to a vote, or a consensus of opinion. Then they came up with the idea of a freeze-out. The freeze-out was not really all that popular but they usually were in a heads—up situation where we would say, “OK, we will both put up $10,000 and play until one of us wins it all.” Well, we did the freeze- out with the tournament and that has been the format ever since. You might say the rest is history. Copyright © 2006, Southern Gaming and Destinations. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. http://www.southemgaming.com/tips-summer05-16.asp 3/15/2006 Two Inducted into Poker Hall o“"?ame. I Poker News V Page 1 of 1 Poicannews. meindependent ElnlinePinterAuthority Published on http://www.pokernews.com/news/2005/07/two~inducted—poker-hail-fame.htm Two Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame. July 07, 2005 John Caldwell I l Two legends of poker were inducted into the poker hall of fame yeste l1 -conference/ceremonyWSOP. conducted on the ESPN stage in the main tourr ‘i Crandall Addington, and Jack Blnion were given poker's highest hono inducted by the legend himself, Doyle Brunson. i l Seated at the press table were Brunson, Addington, Phil Gordon, Binl I Harrah's executives. For about the first thirty minutes Brunson domlr conversation, talking about the old days, the current state of poker, 2 stories from a time that was greatly different from what we see today ~"_Jack has been my best friend since, oh, about 1970" Brunson began l i . recounted the days of Jack, and his Father Benny Blnion founding the i i started it all. "If it wasn't for the Blnions" Doyle continued "None of ti happenlng" ' Jack was his energetic self, with his trademark big smile, and boomin l effort to deflect the attention from himself, Jack spent most of his tin . g ‘ about Crandaii, Doyle, and his father Benny. whenAddingtonthe ideawasforrecognizedthe worldforserieshis contributionsof poker wastoborn.the WSOP, as he was one of the six people that were seated around a weak"No oneplayersknewintowhatthea pokerside games"tournament was in those days" Brunson mused- "Actually, to be frank we thought it was a gt ' Addington has been out of the poker world for 20 years, and has become a very successful businessman, being one of ti seemedBiotechnologyto describefirm inthisPhoenixman from(for morepoker'sonpast:Crandall'sclass.company, reference our earlier story). -Crandall was gracious, if nc Phil Gordon followed Crandall's words with a brief chat about his charity "Put a bad beat on cancer" and how he was hop players signed up into his 1% program (hundreds of players have pledged 1% of their winnings in the main event to Phi All in all, the induction ceremony was a reason to feel good about poker's future, and it's past. Ed note: Doyle's Room is where hall of famers play. ,...,’.1‘.y.‘,--A.--bl http://www.pokernews.com/printable/937 3/15/2006 World Series ofPoker: A Retrospective-History ofBinion's Horseshoe Page 1 of 2 ' ‘ ’ Z9’ f -L}Tiiifi-33!!llIII€e3i;}:lhit!9zI1"7fi15:m';1IEiHeads:-rcellgctll The Horseshoe--A Las Vegas Tradition Binion's Horseshoe is one of the most storied casinos in Las Vegas and, therefore, the United States. This brief summary ofthe casino's story should not be taken as definitive. For more information about the casino's history, see the _l_ifls_ page. Ifyou have an anecdote or little—l Binion's Horseshoe was the culmination offive years in Las Vegas for Benny Binion. Born in P Texas, in 1904, Binion developed an early interest in gambling. As a young man, he moved in l circles and, as most ofthe horse traders were inveterate gamblers, also became a gambler. In 1928, Binoin began running-la "numbers" or "policy" operation in Dallas. During Prohibitio; his own admission "did some-bootlegging" but never ran a profit. According to John L Smith c Vegas Review-Journal, Binion was a suspect in seven Texas murders and a "living legend who ’ image with muscle, blood, and a keen eye for the action’ (LVRJ 12-'28-89). Binion was, above 2 . gambler. Beginning in 1936, he got involved in the "dice business" (illegal craps games). In 19. came out on the losing end of electoral politics, and, lacking political protection, was forced to operations in Dallas. While some ofhis confederates went to Reno, Binion followed J. Kell Houssels to Las Vegas, in acquired a part ownership ofthe Las Vegas Club. Binion then built the Westerner, but in 1951 buy the Eldorado Club. Binion renamed the gambling hall the Horseshoe and immediately installed carpeting--a nove downtown clubs at the time. The Horseshoe was, from the beginning, a family affair; his two s Jack, supervised the games and his wife Teddy Jane kept the books. Above the Horseshoe was the Apache Hotel, a small hostelry that eventually became part ofth The Horseshoe gained a reputation for high limits, the trademark of Binion's approach to gam Because oftrouble with Texas and, later, federal authorities, Binion always had difficulty with Still, he was the acknowledged boss of Binion's and ran his casino with a mixutre ofWestern h gambler's resignation to chance, and hard-edged Texas grit. Federal Tax problems led to a pri: in 1953 he "sold" his casino to fellow gambler Joe W. Brown, though Brown's ownership was r be of a strictly caretaker nature. When he was released from prison in 1957, Binion re-acquired the casino from his friend Brov Mr‘:-'-~--'—~—-——-—-——.—.—-;- http://gaming.unlv.edufWSOP/history.html 3/14/2006 World Series ofPoker: A Retro,°*‘ective-History ofBinion's Horseshoe _ Page 2 of2 classicdid notneonrecapturefacade.100% ownership until 1964. In the meantime, he renovated the buflding, ad: In 1970, Binion hosted the firstWorld Series ofPoker, then a small tournament oftruly elite p World Series was both a poker tournament and a premier advertisement for the casino. Other efforts included the famous $1 million dollar display and a working stagecoach that traveled tl circuit. Part ofthe Horseshoe's charm was its intimate size but, all things considered, large casinos are profitable than small ones, so the Horseshoe, like most other Fremont Street casinos, sought t the 1980s. In 1988, the Horseshoe acquired its next-door neighbor the Mint. The Horseshoe's soon enveloped the Mint, and the Mint's' highrise tower gave the Horseshoe a bevy ofhotel 1'O( new vertical prominence. Though Benny Binion passed away on Christmas Day, 1989, the Horseshoe remained a family Son Jack Binion had already run the casino for years, and he continued to make the Horsesho- downtown Las Vegas flagship. In 1998, following a legal battle, Jack surrendered the presiden Vegas Horseshoe to his sister Becky Binion Behnen. Jack Binion remained an important figure in gaming. His Horseshoe casinos in Shreveport, Ll Hammond, Indiana, and Tunica, Mississippi became incredibly successful. In 2004 he sold hi company to Harrah's Entertainment. Under the leadership ofBecky Behnen, Binion's Horseshoe continued to host the World Serie: through 2003. The casino closed in January 2004, but was bought in March ofthat year by He Entertainment. Harrah's subsequently sold the casino to MTR Gaming, who renamed it “Binit Gambling Hall & Hotel," while retaining_the rights to the Horseshoe name and the World Seriu Want to learn more? Check out these links: Las Vegas Review Journal's First 100: Benny Binion Peter Ruchman: Benny Binion's Legacy Index I Horseshoe History I Benny Binion I Annual I Galleries I WritingsI More Resources I Links I A ' Binion's Horseshoe Search this site powered by FreeF' cl Ga m’g Studies Reserach C Harrah"s Horseshoe WSOP site V.i.IT11T?.llM11S€l1.m For questions’ about the WSOP, contact [email protected]. For more information on this years World Series ofPoker, please call: 1-877-FOR-WSOP. For questions about this exhibition, contact Dave ,Scl_1,war_tz,. 01323746 This site and all contents, unless otherwise noted, © 2002-4 University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This page last updated Thursday, 06-Oct-2005 10:59:02 PDT http://gamingunlv.edu/WSOP/history.html 3/14/2006 Poker legend Jack Binion to host‘ tournament I Poker News Page 1 of 1 PflKERfi*EWS_ meindependent WineFalterAuthority Published on http://www.pokernews.com/news—id279.html Poker legend Jack Binion to host tournament October 18, 2004 Elkan A/Ian . _ ._ Meanwhile the trial, Ted's older brother, Jack Blnlon, the original host of the War Binion's Horseshoe, has signed on to host the event as well as a recently announ Poker tournament circuit organized by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. Binion formerly managed Blnlon's Horseshoe and .iau_nched the World Series of P< relinquishing control of the property to his sister Becky Binion Behnen. Behnen Si March to MTR Gaming Group and Harrah's bought the rights to the World Series Horseshoe brand in Nevada. Harrah's, which now manages Blnlon's Horseshoe, r- nationwide series of poker events culminating in the World Series of Poker next 5 ': "Most of the world's elite poker players have known him for years and consider h , Ginny Shanks, senior vice president of acquisition marketing for Harrah's. "We're ' - to join us as we turn the tournament he created Into a national circuit.“ PokerNews will continue to bring you regular reports of the trial as it happens. http://wWW.pokernews.com/printable/279 3/14/2006 Horseshoe Gaming Holding Co_r'1.- Jack Binion Biography Page 1 of I Tunlca Corporate Employment Responsible Gaming About Jack Binion nheriting the Horseshoe legacy from his father Benny, Mr. Binion developed the Horseshoe Casino into a Las Vegas icon, renowned for its high limits and generous dds. Horseshoe's reputation as a pure gambling joint grew, and Mr. Binion cemented heat WorldreputationSeriesin 1970of Poker.when Horseshoe hosted the first-ever gambling tournament: Mr. Binion has always recognized the importance of giving his guests the best gamble long with personalized customer service. He committed himself to being visible and =:available to his customers, and his hands-on management style has endeared him to ' customers and employees alike. In 1994, Mr. Binion brought the Horseshoe style to the Midwest. He established the privately held Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp., and opened the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, La., in July ofthat year. In 1995, the second Horseshoe Casino opened in Tunicxa, Miss., and both properties quickly established themselves as market leaders. He later sold the Horseshoe in Las Vegas to family members. In 1999, Horseshoe Gaming purchased the Empress Casinos in Joliet, llI., and Hammond, Ind. Mr. Binion quickly sparked double-digit increases in revenues at the two properties. In 2001, Mr. Binion sold the Empress Casino in Joliet and converted themarketEmpressleader.in Hammond to his third Horseshoe property, which became his third The combined Horseshoe properties employ nearly 7,800 trained staff members, generate annual revenues of approximately $840 million, and offer gamblers more than 137,000 square feet of gaming space with, of course, the best odds, the highest limits, and the biggest jackpots around. - “Success,” he says, “has always been measured by satisfied customers. That's the one thing I'm most proud of: Our commitment to providing superior customer satisfaction, whether it's through our odds and limits, our restaurants, or the comfort of our hotels. That was the staple of our success in Las Vegas, and it's the reason we've been so successful in the Midwest." That success did not go unrecognized. In September 2003, less than ten years after starting the company, Mr. Binion agreed in principle to sell Horseshoe Gaming and its properties to Harr‘ah's Entertainment Inc. in one of the largest casino transactions ever. The deal was finalized in the summer of 2004. Mr. Binion still resides in Las Vegas with his wife Phyllis. @2005 Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp :All Rights Reserved. Harrah's welcomes those 21 years of age and older to the Horseshoe website! http://www.horseshoe.com/corporate/about_jacicasp 3/14/2006 ‘, Seargh - 146 Results - "Jack Bjr-.ion" and HEADLINE (binion) Page 1 of2 Horseshoe Casino & Hotel honors 'Binion'5 best’ The Times (Shreveport, LA) March 4, 2003 A Tuesday Copyright 2003 The Times (Shreveport, LA) All Rights Reserved The Times (Shreveport, LA) March 4, 2003 Tuesday SECTION: LIVING; Margaret Martin; Pg. 1D LENGTH: 615 words HEADLINE: Horseshoe Casino & Hotel honors 'Binion’s best‘ BYLINE: Margaret Martin, Staff BODY: - By Margaret Martin The Times Nine years ago, Clarita Guiday was working in the employee dining room at Horseshoe Casino & Hotel when the man with a smile stopped in and asked her for a plate. "No, you are not an employee," she responded. The prospective diner, you see, wasn't - wearing the proper and visible Horseshoe credentials. When he told her that he was Jack Binion, the man whose picture was ‘on the wall, she said, "Oh, myvword, what a way to meet the boss!" Well, Guidry kept her job. She is now a slot attendant who has never missed a day of work. . She is also among eight employees named the first "Binion's Best" and invited to a seated lunch Friday with owner Binion and wife Phyllis. The eight were the toast of the uptown affair for some 70 celebrators that included Horseshoe general manager Larry Lepinski and Roger Wagner of Chicago, president and COO of Horseshoe Gaming Holding, Corp. The other "Binion’s Best for 2002" who hold an array of jobs: - Glen Starkey, dealer. - Ruthie Brown, hotel inspector. 7 Brenda Edwards, security officer. - Lashanda Jones, beverage server. — Betty Lane, credit clerk. - Michael Jackson, senior systems engineer. John L. Green IV, a slot tech training supervisor, was dubbed "Leader of the Year." All honorees received $1,000. http://wWw.1exis.com/research/retrieve?__m=679d42e893992fdc6f4edc97872ea22c&docnu... 2/21/2006 0 _S_earch - 146 Results - "Iack Bi-~.‘on" and HEADLINE (binion) Page 2 of 2 H L . ' _ Green also took home a Bourton Baccarat Crystal Award. The other winners were given William Yeoward engraved crystal, covered vases imported from England. You really have to be a great employee to be one of Binion's Best. They were selected from Teams of Distinction named each month from seven department groups. The selection process is detailed, but, in general, it means this group consistently surpassed job standards, put forth extra efforts, provided team spirit and volunteered for special projects. Luncheon guests were seated at tables dressed with claret colored silk and in chairs covered in the silk, complemented with the palest of gold accent. Exquisite floral arrangements of garden-style flowers centered the tables. The lunch bunch dined on: halibut, roasted corn and fennel chowder; chilled caponata with hearts of romaine ~ presented in an unusual vertical manner; crusted sea bass sample with three aiolis herbs and tomato orzo; sauteed zucchini noodles; and chocolate mud slide. It was to die for! The day was really special for winner Lane, for it was her seventh anniversary at Horseshoe. And for Jack Binion who was still celebrating his Feb. 21 birthday and accepted a special presentation from the winners. Among those participating or just enjoying it all: Greg Bradley, vice president of human resources; pianist Antonio Washington; Mark Bolding, who gave the welcome, plus Frank Williams, Kimberly Graves, Helen Black, Jean Lanier, Anne Gremillion, Holly Lawrence, Pat and Donna Divietro, Gregory Edwards, Melanie Park and Dee Ann Phillips. ON THE SCENE Harrah's Casino & Hotel is letting the good times. roll. A share of $5,000 in the Mardi Gras Celebration will be given through today. Stop by the promotions desk between 1 and 8 p.m., receive a free pair of blinking beads and get in on a chance to win cash instantly. You must be a Total Rewards card member to participate You can win up to $4,000 in cash at Harrah's Hot Seat Cash Giveaway. It will be held at Harrah's Saturday and March 22 and 29. Guests seated at a randomly chosen slot machine between 1 and 8 p.m. could win up to $100 cash when playing with their Total Rewards card. Margaret Martin is a Times writer. Her columnabout casino happenings appears Tuesday. She can be reached at 459-3257 or by fax at 459-3201. E-mail to [email protected]. LOAD-DATE: March 5, 2003 ._...m.tM_...... _u....‘...__..._.. http://wwwlexis.com/research/rei:rieve?__m=679d42e893992fdc6f4edc97872ea22c&docnu... 2/21/2006 Search - 146 Results - "Jack Bin-‘“_tV1" and HEADLINE (binion) Page I of 2 .. 1' .,' ‘LENGTH: 386 words HEADLINE: Second Casino Marketing Conference Begins Sunday: Binion to Be Honored for Lifetime Achievement DATELINE: LAS VEGAS July 11 BODY: LAS VEGAS, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Casino Marketing: The 2005 Conference gets under way Sunday at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. More than 300 top marketing and gaming professionals representing more than 120 commercial, tribal, local and mega-casinos and gaming support companies are expected at the three-day summit, July 17-19. Among the highlights are two very special awards presentations. —— Gaming marketing leaders from around the world will gather the morning of July 19 to honor this year's recipient of The Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award, Jack Binion. Binion is a living legend in the gaming industry, from the days of Binion's Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas, to the building of the Horseshoe Gaming empire in riverboat markets, to the purchase of Horseshoe by the savviest casino operator around, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. He has been widely praised throughout his career as the consummate casino operator whose properties always have been market leaders wherever they have opened. —— New this year is a long—overdue honor for the most significant achievements in casino marketing and promotion in the gaming industry. The inaugural Romero Awards: Recognizing Excellence In Casino Marketing will be presented at a noon luncheon July 18. The award is named for casino marketing pioneer and author John Romero, who served as one of the judges for the competition. From 68 entries, the judges chose Diamond, Gold, Silver and Honorable Mention winners in seven different categories, in both small— and large—casino classifications. View the full lineup and register online at http:[[www.casinomarketing2005.com[ . This marks the fourth partnership between Reno-based Raving Consulting and Ascend Media Gaming Group, the gaming industry's business-to-business media leader. They have presented Casino Marketing and the Northern Nevada Gaming Summit the past two‘ years; and will join forces again to present Raving's 8th Indian Gaming National Marketing Conference, Nov. 7-9, 2005, at Grand Casino Hinckley, Hinckley, Minn. CONTACT: Christine Faria of Raving Consulting, +1-775-329-7864, chris@raving'consulting.com Web site: http:[[www.casinomarketing2005.com[ SOURCE Ascend Media Gaming Group URL: http:[[www.prnewswire.com NOTES: NOTE TO EDITORS: Media information and registration contact Christine Faria at http://WWW.lexis.com/research/retrieve?_m=679d42e893992fdc6f4edc97872ea22c&docnu... 2/21/2006 Search - 146 Results - "Jack Bi‘;-"Fm" and HEADLINE Cbinion) Page 2 of2 7%?” I "‘ _. 9 Raving Consulting, (775) 329-7864; email: chris@'ravingconsu|ting.com LOAD—DATE: July 12, 2005 http://WWW.lexis.com/research/retrieve?_1i1=679d42e893992fdc6f4edc97872ea22c&docnu... 2/21/2006