Horseshoe Runs Out of Luck

Binions Horseshoe, the spiritual home of poker for over fifty years, is to be consigned to the annals of history, following the announcement that MTR gaming will be taking over the reigns from and dropping the Horseshoe moniker. MTR said that they will assume management of the casino on March 11, when it will become simply Binions, as the company sold the rights to the Horseshoe name to Harrahs earlier this year. Following next years tournament, it will also end its association with the WSOP that its founder, Benny Binion, created.

'The Horseshoe name will come down, but we definitely plan on keeping poker and making it a big part of our marketing program.' said Roger Szepelak, vice president and chief operating officer for MTR Gaming Group, adding that a new high profile poker tournament at Binions is in the offing.

Becky Binnion Behnan, daughter of Benny Binnion, sold the casino to Harahs after financial difficulties had forced it to close on January 9th. Harrahs then resurrected the ailing casinos fortunes, only to announce the MTR deal in February.