New baccarat side bets called “Lucky 7” and “Super Lucky 7” have debuted in Macau casinos, with industry experts anticipating the potential for these offerings to mirror the success of Singapore’s popular “Dragon Tiger” variant.
During the October Golden Week festivities in China, GGRAsia observed the introduction of these ‘7s’ bets in Macau’s gaming landscape, marking a significant shift in the city’s traditional baccarat offerings.
By Oct. 3, these innovative side bets had permeated most casino establishments, with notable exceptions in the Cotai casinos under Sands China Ltd., such as the Venetian Macao and the Londoner Macao.
Industry sources have revealed the ‘7s’ bets originated in Singapore’s ‘Dragon Tiger’ baccarat game, which shares similar game rules but with slight differences in payouts compared to the Macau version.
The “Dragon Tiger” game has been a hit in the Singapore market, with the “Tiger Baccarat” game at Marina Bay Sands serving as its foundation.
While the new side bets in Macau share similarities with the renowned “Dragon Tiger,” they offer unique payout structures, creating a fresh dynamic for gamers.
Singapore-based industry commentator Daniel Cheng said the appeal of these new-to-market side bets lies in their perceived ability to offer players a better chance of winning, even though the mathematical house edge may increase.
“It’s the perception of increased success that drives engagement,” he said.
Citigroup’s analysts said the house advantage of the ‘7s’ side bets in Macau is in the mid- to high- teens, more favorable for the casinos compared to the ‘Small 6/Big 6’ side bets launched in May this year.
This, along with the potential for high payouts of up to 100-to-1, is expected to contribute to the new side bets’ popularity among players.
Experts believe the new bets could boost player engagement and revenues if they mirror “Dragon Tiger’s” success in Singapore. Victoria Chan
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