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Sands China Ltd has introduced a new four-tier linked progressive jackpot for live baccarat wagers on the mass gaming floors of its Cotai properties. The feature went live from Thursday (September 24) afternoon, according to GGRAsia’s site checks and industry sources.
This is timed to coincide with the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, based on the lunar calendar, which is celebrated on the mainland of China from September 25 to 27. This celebration takes place only three days before the holiday of National Day, which lasts throughout the Golden Week, from October 1 to 7.
New Table Layout for Jackpot Feature
In marketing broadcasts aired on the gaming floors, the jackpot feature is described as pioneered by Sands China. Based on GGRAsia’s observations, the operator is offering a new baccarat table layout to accommodate the linked progressive jackpot. Gamblers can wager to win it via a clearly marked red circle on the table.
As of Thursday afternoon, the jackpot feature was available in the Mass Red Dragon Game Zone and the high-limits baccarat area at The Venetian Macao. It was also present at The Plaza casino, the high-limits area of The Parisian Macao casino, and at The Londoner Casino and the Londoner Grand Casino, which are the main gaming areas of The Londoner Macao resort.
Via the new offer, customers can attempt to win a four-tier progressive jackpot via a designated bet denomination of HKD200 (US$25.5). The amount is uniform across all the casino operator Cotai properties and is marketed as a distinct side bet option, with specific conditions.
How the Four Tiers Work
The top-tier Grand bonus, amounting to just above HKD15 million as of GGRAsia’s Thursday afternoon visit, is triggered when the player’s hand wins on a total of seven points versus a banker hand of six points via a total of six cards. The player’s hand must be formed solely by cards in the diamond suit, while the banker’s hand must be formed solely by spades.
The second-tier Major bonus, amounting to 5% of the linked progressive jackpot prize pool, is triggered when a player hand wins on a total of seven points over a banker hand of six points from a total of six cards. The hand of the player must only consist of the cards of the same red suit — heart or diamonds — whereas the hand of the banker should consist of cards of the same black suit — spades or clubs.
The Minor prize that falls in the third level and offers a fixed cash reward of HKD16,000 may be won in case the hand of the player beats the hand of the banker at seven and six points respectively, and both these hands contain only four or five cards, with the hand of the player having a red suit and the hand of the banker having a black suit.
The fourth-tier Mini bonus, a fixed cash prize of HKD8,000, is triggered when a player’s hand is formed solely by cards of a red suit and the banker’s hand is formed solely by cards of a black suit, regardless of the outcome of a six-card hand.
Side Bet Integration and Pricing
The progressive jackpot wager is presented as a side bet option on Sands China’s smart baccarat tables, which also contain other side bets, namely Lucky Six, Small/Big Six, and the two-card and three-card Lucky 7 and Super Lucky 7.
On Thursday afternoon, the minimum bets of the main baccarat betting propositions across Sands China’s Cotai properties mostly ranged from HKD1,000 to HKD2,000 on the main floors, and between HKD2,000 to HKD3,000 for the high-limit zones. Side bets in the casino operator’s Cotai properties were mostly priced between HKD200 to HKD300, indicating GGRAsia’s checks.
Previous Bonus Features
Sands China had started implementing in July last year a special two-tier progressive jackpot for wagers on the side bet combinations of Lucky 6 and Lucky 7 across its premium and mass-market gaming floors across the city. That bonus feature eventually ended in March this year.
The introduction of the new four-tier system marks a fresh approach to engaging mass market baccarat players during a key festive period. With the Mid-Autumn Festival and Golden Week drawing visitors to Macau, the timing of the launch aligns with increased foot traffic across Cotai’s integrated resorts.
Source: GGR Asia
