Friday, January 09, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NEWS FLASH: Binion's Horseshoe shuts down temporarily

Deputy U.S. marshals entered Binion's Horseshoe this evening armed with court orders authorizing them to seize cash from the casino. Officials said a judge authorized the seizure to satisfy several debts owed by the casino.

Outside the Horseshoe late Friday, a small crowd gathered.

Some people yanked on the locked doors or were turned away by security guards. Others peeked inside the tinted glass trying to figure out what was going on inside.

Rick Gish, 46, of Litchfield, Minn., said he was playing at a packed craps table when a pit boss walked by and told everyone to cash in their chips. Everyone ignored him until he returned a short time later and repeated the command.

By the time Gish got to the cashier's cage, most of the tables had been closed and Las Vegas police, Gaming Control Board members and U.S. marshals had appeared on the casino floor.

Several U.S. marshals were also inside the cashier's cage, Gish said. As Gish walked toward the exit, one U.S. marshal told him, "As soon as we get our money, we'll be done."

Among the Horseshoe's recent high-profile legal disputes are battles with the Fremont Street Experience over $3 million-plus in unpaid fees; the Internal Revenue Service, which on Nov. 5 placed a tax lien on the 52-year-old gambling hall, claiming the Horseshoe has yet to pay $5 million in past due payroll taxes; and the Culinary union, for unpaid health care contributions.