A television adaptation of Doug J. Swanson’s book “Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker” is currently in development in Hollywood. The project brings together Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions, Cole Hauser’s American Outlaw Entertainment, and MGM Television to narrate the story of Benny Binion, a pivotal figure in the evolution of Las Vegas’ gambling scene. Hauser, known for his roles in popular projects like “Yellowstone” and “Dazed and Confused,” is set to portray Binion.
“Blood Aces” chronicles Binion’s journey from the underground gambling scene in Texas to becoming the driving force behind Binion’s Horseshoe Hotel & Casino and a key player in establishing the World Series of Poker. The narrative delves into a tumultuous era in Las Vegas’ history, with Hauser describing it as, “an incredible story which we can’t wait to tell.”
Stallone expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Douglas J. Swanson’s book captures the incredible life of Benny Binion, a New West icon who was a conduit connecting many worlds, some glamorous, some dangerous, some shady, but all intriguing. This story 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.”
The announcement of the “Blood Aces” project coincides with reports of an upcoming eight-episode Netflix series focused on the casino world and the contemporary Las Vegas scene. This series will be executive produced by the legendary Martin Scorsese, with Rounders co-writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien acting as showrunners and writers.
Additionally, New York Times best-selling author and PokerStars Ambassador Maria Konnikova shared her involvement with the Netflix project via social media.
As the interest in poker on screen continues to grow, fans can look forward to these exciting developments in the portrayal of Las Vegas’ rich gambling heritage. Stay tuned for more updates on both projects as they progress.