Baccarat, a card game often played in exclusive VIP rooms, has cost gamblers on the Las Vegas Strip $1.38 billion over the past year, far exceeding losses from more widely known games. According to data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, baccarat losses dwarf those of blackjack ($831 million) and craps ($258 million).
The game, popular among Asian high-rollers, has been affected by China's anti-corruption crackdown and economic slowdown. As wealthy Chinese players reduce their gambling activity, Las Vegas Strip revenue fell 2 per cent in July, with baccarat revenue dropping 21 per cent.
Baccarat is a game of pure chance with no skill involved, offering two main bets: banker (Banco) or player (Punto). Casinos on the Strip accept bets as high as $250,000, but declining participation has led to a 23 per cent drop in baccarat play and a 34 per cent fall in lower-stakes mini-baccarat over the past year.
