Nevada’s revenues from gaming would be much lower if it weren’t for the game of baccarat. As revealed, the state’s gaming win grew only 2.9 percent in February, compared to a 12.8 percent growth the year before. On the Las Vegas Strip, revenues from Baccarat increased on more than a 50% for the same month.

Frank Streshley, a senior research analyst for the gaming control board, explained they had foreseen the problems would arise from the superposition of the Chinese New Year’s Celebration –which lasts 10 days-, the hosting of the 4-days NBA’s All-Star-Game and the Presidents Day Holyday. The city was crowded but gaming tables were not.

As casino operators explained, Las Vegas hosted too many visitors at the same time. Tourists would frequent casinos’ restaurants and nightclubs, but would not venture into the gaming areas. The exception were baccarat tables, which usually attract high end customers.

Aside from this particular happening, casino operators and the gaming board both worry about a decrease on gaming revenues that has been the tendency in the last few months. Similar phenomena had not taken place since 9/11.