Best online baccarat casinos in South Africa for 2024

Play online baccarat for free & real money

What is baccarat?

Baccarat is a popular online casino game with three betting options – the player, banker, or tie. The game is played with six to eight decks of 52 cards, and both the player and the banker receive two cards at the start of the game.

Cards numbered 2-9 are worth their value, while picture cards (J, Q, K) and 10s are worth zero. Aces are worth one. The objective of the game is to predict which hand – the player’s or the banker’s – will be the closest to nine.

Depending on the cards dealt, a third card might be issued to either the player or the banker, which can then influence the outcome of the hand.

Popular online baccarat variants

There are several online baccarat variations available to South African players. Whether you enjoy the classic features of the game that are popular in Europe or novel versions with a fun twist, you can enjoy the following online baccarat games in SA:

Chemin de Fer

With its origins in 19th century France, Chemin de Fer is a baccarat game that elects a new dealer each betting round. In French, ‘chemin de fer’ means ‘railway station’, and this variant got its name because it offers fast and entertaining gameplay. You can play Chemin de Fer baccarat at several online casinos in South Africa.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco is the most prominent version of baccarat available at online casinos in South Africa. Six decks of 52 cards are used in Punto Banco, and the objective is simple – bet on the hand you think will be closest to nine. The dealer in Punto Banco remains fixed, unlike several other popular baccarat variants.

Baccarat Banque

Sometimes called Deux Tableaux, Baccarat Banque is another game variant popularised in 19th century France. A new dealer is selected at the start of every betting round, and the first dealer appointed is typically the first person to join the game or the player who places the biggest wager. Though less famous than Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque is still widely available online in South African casinos.

American baccarat

American baccarat is the North American version of Punto Banco, and its gameplay and table layout are the same as they are in the original game. It’s one of the most widespread variations of baccarat and is played with six to eight decks of cards.

Mini baccarat

As the name suggests, mini baccarat is played on a smaller scale than other variants. Up to seven players can play mini baccarat at any given time, compared to 14 people in the standard variation. It follows the same rules as Punto Banco, but the smaller table provides more dynamic gameplay.

Dragon Tiger

Rather than betting on the banker or player, you must decide whether to bet on the dragon or the tiger in this exciting live casino variant. You can also place various side bets, including odd, even, big or small. Dragon Tiger has a theoretical return to player percentage of 96.27%.

Live baccarat

Evolution Gaming has released numerous inventive and engaging live dealer baccarat titles, many of which are available to South African players. In Lightning Baccarat, you select up to five ‘Lightning Cards’, which adds multipliers up to 8x the stake to increase your payouts. You can enjoy other live games like Live Baccarat Squeeze and XXXtreme Lightning Baccarat at South Africa’s leading casinos.

How to play online baccarat

We love the simplicity of baccarat, which is why it's a great game for beginners. Still, If you're new to the game, here are five simple steps to follow as you place your bets for the first time:

1. 1

   Create an account at a real money online casino in South Africa. You can use our top list above to help you choose a legal site licensed by a regulatory body such as the MGA or UKGC.

2. 2

   Read the terms attached to the welcome bonus and make a qualifying deposit to activate the promotion.

3. 3

   Browse the online game library and select which baccarat games you would like to play. Make sure you read the rules before placing your bets.

4. 4

   Check the betting limits and place a bet at the baccarat table.

5. 5

   Once the initial bets have been settled, cash out your winnings or repeat the process to continue playing.

Online baccarat rules

Baccarat is easy to learn, thanks to its straightforward gameplay. Here are the basic rules that you need to know to get started with a baccarat bet:

• You can bet on three possible outcomes – the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or the tie.

• The banker and the player receive two cards apiece, face down to begin the game.

• When the cards are turned, the closest hand to nine wins.

• The three-card rule will come into effect in the following scenarios:

  • When the player has five or fewer cards.

  • When the player stands and the banker has five or fewer.

  • When the banker has 0, 1 or 2.

  • When the banker has 4, and the player’s third card is 2-7.

  • When the banker has 5, and the player’s third card is 4-7.

  • When the banker has 6, and the player’s third card is 6-7.

• Picture cards and 10s are worth 0 in baccarat.

• 2-9 cards retain their face value.

• Ace is worth 1.

Baccarat bets explained

Baccarat is easy to play because there are three main bets, saving you a lot of time when putting together a baccarat strategy. The table below indicates which bets you can place and the relative payout potential:

While the tie offers the most significant potential payout, the low odds and the high house edge indicate it’s a risky baccarat betting option. As you can see, the banker’s bet is the best option due to its low house edge. The reason for this is that there are more three-card options open to the banker.

A bet on the banker pays out less than the player’s hand due to the 5% commission included in many baccarat variants. You should check the game’s paytable to see whether the commission is included.

Top baccarat casinos bonuses

The best way to maximise your bankroll while playing baccarat online in South Africa is to take advantage of a casino bonus. The first-deposit match offer is one of the most prevalent casino bonuses in SA and is often the most rewarding.

When you make a qualifying deposit up to a specific amount, the casino will match a percentage of your initial deposit in bonus funds (usually between 50% – 200%), which you can use to play baccarat and other games. You just need to know the wagering requirements attached to each welcome bonus.

Wagering requirements indicate how much of your own money you need to gamble before you’re allowed to withdraw any bonus winnings. Most wagering requirements must be satisfied within a specific timeframe, too, so check how long you have to take advantage of the offer.

Real money baccarat vs. free baccarat

You can play baccarat for free and real money in South Africa. Here are the pros and cons of playing free baccarat compared to playing with ZAR at stake:

Playing baccarat on mobile

Most online baccarat games have been created with HTML5 technology, meaning the game seamlessly adapts to the screen size, whether a smartphone, tablet or computer. While you can play at mobile casinos via your web browser, the best way to enjoy baccarat on your mobile device is to download your chosen casino’s native iOS or Android app (if it has one).

Mobile casino apps offer a tailored gaming experience as you can set in-app notifications, link digital wallets for easy payments and enjoy better performance while on the go.

Tips on how to win online baccarat

Baccarat is a game of chance, but there are some steps you can take to boost your enjoyment of the game and increase your winning chances:

1. 1

   Always check the game’s house edge/RTP. The best value baccarat games have a low house edge (2% or less) to offer great value gaming.

2. 2

   Consider taking a structured approach while playing baccarat by employing a betting strategy. The Martingale and the D’Alembert systems have proven effective in baccarat games; however, be mindful that there’s also no limit to the losses you can incur.

3. 3

   Always set a budget and manage your bankroll to gamble responsibly and stay in control. You should never chase losses when gambling online.

4. 4

   Take advantage of free-to-play baccarat games as you familiarise yourself with gameplay and work on your strategy. You can always start playing for real money once you’ve got a good feel for the game.

5. 5

   Claim the latest promotions and offers at your chosen online casino to boost your bankroll while playing online baccarat.

Best baccarat software providers

The best live baccarat games are available courtesy of Evolution Gaming, but there are a host of online baccarat games developed by multiple award-winning studios, such as:

Play’n GO

NetEnt

Novomatic

Pragmatic Play

Online baccarat FAQs

• Is online baccarat legal in South Africa?

  Yes, online baccarat is legal in South Africa. Check that the casino is licensed and independently regulated before creating an account.

• Where can I play online baccarat in South Africa?

  You can play online baccarat at the leading online casinos in South Africa, such as Casino Tropez, Europa and Yako Casino, all of which are featured on this page.

• Can you play baccarat online for real money?

  Yes, you can play baccarat online for real money. You need to create an account at an online casino and make a real money deposit for your chance to win ZAR in return.

• Which bet is the best in baccarat?

  The banker bet is the best option in baccarat as it has the lowest house edge.

• What is a natural in baccarat?

  A natural in baccarat is when the banker or the player has a hand of eight or nine in the initial deal.

• Can you count cards in online baccarat?

  Yes, but counting cards is tough in online baccarat because most online games are played with six or more decks of cards. This makes keeping track of cards challenging during a game. We suggest playing live baccarat games if you want to practise card counting.

• Are online baccarat games rigged?

  No, online baccarat games are not rigged, as games at legitimate online casinos are independently tested for fairness. You can check a site for eCOGRA certification or similar authority to be on the safe side.

• Is baccarat a game of skill or luck?

  Baccarat is a game of luck, as you cannot influence the cards dealt to the banker or player.

Ross Young

Verified expert

Global content writer

Ross has been writing about casino betting for many years, and his speciality subjects include news, game guides and casino reviews. He is passionate about helping his readers make informed decisions when it comes to gambling.