Casinos Winning Big by Betting on Asians

Dealer Cai Qilin, center, works on Mini Baccarat at an Asian gambling section in Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., Thursday, June 29, 2006. Foxwoods, the biggest casino in the world based on gambling floor space, estimates that at least one-third of its 40,000 customers per day are Asian. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki) (Chitose Suzuki - AP)

Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun both have taken voluntary steps, such as training employees to read signs of addictive behavior and referring problem gamblers to psychiatrists.

Steve Karoul, who until earlier this month was vice president of casino marketing at Foxwoods and has spent 30 years in the casino business, said Asians aren't significantly affected by compulsive gambling.

"Honestly, we find it's not as prevalent in the Asian community as it is in the non-Asian community," said Karoul, who worked in several Asian countries. "Of all the markets, I would say it's the least affected by problem gaming. Gaming is part of the culture, but problem gaming is not widespread."

Back in the Asian Pit, Ip Kachuang decided to take a break after three hours at the Baccarat tables, his favorite game at Foxwoods. He said he hadn't won much money yet, but he was still in good spirits.

"It's fun," he said, "as long as you don't gamble big."

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On the Net:

Foxwoods: http://www.foxwoods.com/

Mohegan Sun: http://www.mohegansun.com/