Ideal customer offer on baccarat side bets a ‘moving target’ for Macau operators: scholar

The “optimal” mix for live-table baccarat side bets in the Macau casino market is still a work in progress for the city’s gaming operators, says leading industry scholar Ryan Ho Hong Wai, in comments to GGRAsia.

Jan 2, 2026 - 09:50
Ideal customer offer on baccarat side bets a ‘moving target’ for Macau operators: scholar

The “optimal” mix for live-table baccarat side bets in the Macau casino market is still a work in progress for the city’s gaming operators, says leading industry scholar Ryan Ho Hong Wai, in comments to GGRAsia.

Baccarat side bets – liked by the industry for boosting house edge, according to data compiled by Mr Ho (see table below) – have been widely implemented in Macau since 2024, and supported by ‘smart’ table technology. Industry analysts say such side bets have been popular among players.