The plush new poker room in the Venetian reeks of exclusivity. Its spacious grandeur exudes an air of calm sophistication, and it’s no surprise the separate VIP room has started to attract the biggest players in town from across the street at the Bellagio. So it seems all the more out of place to notice the flurry of activity building up in the far-right enclave as I enter the room one Saturday afternoon.

Half a dozen people are standing around one small man wearing a beige jumper and black jacket – nothing too outrageous there. Even from here, it’s plain to see he’s laughing, joking and playing to the crowd, all the while furiously signing anything thrust in front of him.