In Las Vegas, though Asian and Asian-American patrons currently comprise just 4 percent to 7 percent of the clientele, last winter’s 15-day Lunar New Year brought them by the tens of thousands-primarily from the West Coast and mainland China-to celebrate in Sin City.

The casinos, and the city at large, happily welcomed the free-spending visitors. Streets were draped in banners welcoming 4076, the Year of the Rat. Dragon dances were ubiquitous. Culinary festivals got the menu right (including a feast at the MGM Mirage prepared by nine chefs from Beijing’s legendary Diaoyutai State Guesthouse). The Bellagio featured a statue of the God of Wealth alongside a six-foot rat; MGM Grand brought in Taiwanese pop stars.

The net result: MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni called the Lunar New Year weekend bigger for gambling in Vegas than the Super Bowl. According to the Associated Press, the holiday increased Nevada’s baccarat handle by half: $1.03 billion in February, “topping even blackjack, the king of card games.”