Sands China Ltd, a prominent casino operator in Macau, recently terminated its unique two-tier bonus system for baccarat side bets. This change, effective from March 16, impacts gamers on all premium and mass-market floors across Sands' various casino locations in the city.
The announcement, made through tableside notices in Chinese, indicated an end to the bonuses but hinted at "exciting.. new offers" coming soon, though further details were not provided. Sands China was contacted by GGRAsia for clarification on future developments but had yet to respond with specifics.
Details of the Sands Baccarat Bonus
The two-tier bonus system, known as the 'Sands Baccarat Bonus,' was initially introduced in July and became available across various high-limit and mass-market gaming areas at venues including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, and The Londoner Macao. Designed around specific baccarat side bet combinations such as Lucky 6 and Lucky 7, this bonus was exclusive to Sands China.
The bonus had two levels: the 'Grand Bonus,' which was triggered by a specific seven-over-six win with a diamond-only player hand and a spade-only banker hand involving six cards, and the 'Major Bonus,' triggered under similar conditions but with a five or six-card red suit player hand beating a black suit banker hand.
Industry Context and Future Outlook
The utilization of baccarat side bets has been increasing in Macau, a trend confirmed by research from Seaport Research Partners. Their analysis noted that these bets comprise over 3% of baccarat volume, with expectations that they will continue to rise. This strategy shift aligns with Macau's broader trends of optimizing side bets to enhance casino revenues. In fact, Macau's gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to grow by approximately 7% in both 2026 and 2027.
This growth is anticipated to be driven by increased visitors from China, facilitated by enhancements such as smart table technology and a greater focus on side bets, which offer a higher house edge.
Source: Sands China 'ended' special two-tier bonus for baccarat side bet wagers from March 16, GGRAsia, March 18, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
Mar 18 2026
Mar 18 2026
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