UFC president Dana White has had an up-and-down relationship with the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas over the past two years. In October 2012, it was announced that the Palms would not be hosting “The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale” after White cut ties with the hotel over a dispute with his credit line. White recently smoothed things over with the Palms after a 22-month boycott.
The reunion didn’t last.
On Sunday, White confirmed to Norm Clarke of the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the Palms has decided to give him his “walking papers” because he was winning too much at the tables. White claims he “beat them for nearly $2 million” and was asked not to play anymore. When new management took the resort over in May, he was told his gaming limit was being reduced from $25,000 to $5,000 per hand.
“A lot of people are going to think I’m a card counter after that Ben Affleck thing at the Hard Rock,” White told Clarke. “I’m the farthest thing from card counter.”
White said he has heard the Palms will try to end their relationship with him on good terms by presenting him with a trophy that says something like “congrats you kicked our ass and made us tap out.” Still, he is irritated with being squeezed out because of his success.
“Casinos don’t want to gamble anymore,” White said. “They’re all owned by hedge funds and corporations. They want to stack the odds so much against you that won’t play. Realistically, there’s only one place to play left in town. That’s Caesars. They will let you play what you want to play. No messing around with limits.”
White has been known to dine at N9ne Steakhouse at the Palms — which he may still do — and tip servers up to $10,000 on $10,000 dinner tabs. There have also been rumors that he has given card dealers roughly $200,000 in tips while winning a ton of money over the past few months.
Regardless of how much money he has taken from the Palms by gambling, it’s surprising that the resort would end its relationship with White. You’d think the exposure and luxury of hosting UFC events would more than make up for it.
H/T The Big Lead
