The Chief Executive Officer of UFC, Dana White, has long had a storied reputation in Las Vegas. But his legendary exploits are seen in a new light as he admitted to winning over $26 million in Caesars Palace's baccarat tables early this year. He said in a recent podcast that Caesars and Bellagio allow him to play $350,000 to $400,000 a hand - but his ultimate goal is to play $1 million a hand.

Dana White, the outspoken CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship, is renowned not only for his leadership in the world of mixed martial arts but also for his high-stakes gambling exploits, particularly in Las Vegas. White's betting habits have long been the stuff of legend, and his recent reveal has added even more fuel to the fire.

A revealing podcast

In a candid conversation on a recent episode of the podcast, Full Send, the UFC chief disclosed his extraordinary success at Caesars Palace earlier this year. Between January to March, White estimated he won between $26 million - $27 million playing baccarat at the famous Las Vegas casino.

"Caesars Palace...I clipped these guys for $1 million a night from, like, the first week of January all the way into March," he stated. He added that he beat Caesars an estimated $26 to $27 million.

While these numbers might sound unfathomable to most, White has a long history of playing with incredibly high stakes at select casinos. He mentioned Caesars Palace as his favorite casino, where high-rollers like him are given the opportunity to wager enormous sums. Caesars, in particular, allows White to wager $350,000 a hand - a limit extended only to a very select group of clients with substantial bankrolls.

At that level of betting, it's entirely possible to rake in $1 million (or more) in a single night. However, with such high-stakes gambling comes the risk of losing massive amounts as well. White was open about the downside, stating there are nights where a player can get "wrecked" when playing at such high limits.

Caesars Palace: a high-stakes player's dream

Despite the risks, White remains unwavering in his devotion to Caesars Palace, praising the casino for accommodating serious gamblers. He commented, "Caesars is gangster" and lauded the venue as the premier place for high-level betting.

Caesars' willingness to let him bet $350,000 per hand speaks to the casino's stature among top-tier gamblers. For White, winning $1 million in a night is not just possible, it's something he has achieved consistently during the first few months of 2024. This success, however, also highlights why many other Las Vegas casinos refuse to take his action.

White explained his betting strategy on the podcast, saying that he leaves the table after winning three consecutive hands. This tactic allows him to secure a significant profit, which, in turn, results in hefty losses for the casino. Given his aggressive approach and the large sums at play, some Las Vegas casinos have decided not to allow White to gamble at their establishments.

Casinos closing their doors on White

White has not been shy about his frustration with certain casinos for declining his business. In another recent podcast, he called Wynn Las Vegas "a bunch of [slur about a female body part]" for not allowing him to bet at his chosen limits.

Given his notoriety, many casinos may view White as too big a risk. His methodology of cashing out after three straight wins can lead to large and consistent losses for the house, which is likely why many venues opt to limit his play or refuse it altogether.

While White's relationship with Caesars remains strong, he also frequents other venues, including Bellagio, which allows him to bet as much as $400,000 per hand. He also mentioned playing at Red Rock Resort, a venue located in Summerlin and controlled by UFC's original investors, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. However, at Red Rock, White plays for lower stakes due to being the only client allowed to wager such high amounts.

Chasing a new goal: $1 million per hand

Despite already achieving substantial success in the high-stakes gambling world, White revealed that he’s still chasing a new goal: wagering $1 million a hand. "That's my goal. That's my goal in life before I die," White remarked on the podcast.

Although the UFC boss dreams of finding a casino willing to extend him $30 million in credit to bet at this astronomical level, he acknowledged that it's highly unlikely any gaming venue in the world would indulge such a request. His biggest losing night, White disclosed, was $8 million, yet he remains undeterred in his pursuit of the $1 million hand dream.