Gambling Laws in China

While it's easy to assume that China's gambling laws are strict, you might be surprised to learn that some activities are legal.

Which Types of Gambling Are Legal in China?

China's gambling laws are very clear: almost every activity is illegal. This extends to online gambling and even to activities carried out by Chinese citizens outside the country. However, there are still a few types generally classed as gambling that are permitted.

Wagering on Online and Offline Casino Games

Land-based and online casinos are strictly prohibited by law in China. The government goes to great lengths to prevent operators from accepting bets from residents. There have even been cases of individuals being arrested for participating in online gambling.

In Macau, gambling and land-based casinos have been legal since the 1850s. The region is the highest-grossing casino gambling location in the world - far exceeding Las Vegas, with 38 casinos in operation. Interestingly in Macau, online gambling is not licensed, although many offshore platforms accept residents of the region.

Playing Poker With Real Money

Poker gambling is illegal, regardless of whether it's offline or online. Many residents get around this by joining offshore sites and playing Bitcoin poker, which means that transactions can't be tracked. The game can also be found in the many land-based casinos in Macau - where it is perfectly legal.

In 2018 all poker apps in China were banned and these could no longer feature on marketplaces such as Google Play and the App Store. Even advertising of poker apps on social media sites was banned.

Bingo Betting

Bingo isn't common in China. There are no halls, but occasional games occur without legal intervention, suggesting that social games are permitted. Online bingo is strictly prohibited, with offshore sites offering the game actively blocked and unavailable to residents.

Purchasing Lotto Tickets

Lottery games are the only legal form of gambling in China, however, there are some fairly broad restrictions. Games are restricted to the two lotteries, the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery. No other lotteries are permitted. Playing online lottery games for real money is also illegal.

Social Gambling and Online Crypto Casinos

It is legal to play social games of chess or poker as long as no money is involved. Social casino sites such as the ones which offer free online slots for playing with fake chips, are not allowed though.

Mahjong is well-known as one of China's oldest social games, but even betting on this cultural activity is banned. Even playing Mahjong games without money is restricted to certain times of the year.

Unsurprisingly, cryptocurrency trading and mining were banned in China in 2021, and a total ban on using virtual coins came into effect in 2023. Online crypto gambling sites are also not allowed but many offshore platforms do continue to accept players from China.

Is Sports Betting Legal in China?

Surprisingly, yes but only via the country's sports lottery. This company allows residents to place bets on varied markets, with football being the most popular. Betting on Chinese football games is not permitted due to claims of widespread match-fixing and corruption.

Betting on sports is legal in Macau and has been since 1998. In Hong Kong, betting on horse racing events is legal, but only through the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

What's the Minimum Age to Gamble in China?

Legal gambling is permitted in China and Hong Kong by anyone aged 18 or over and in Macau, you must be at least 21.

China's Gambling Tax Regulations - Do Players Pay?

Regulations dictate that legal gambling proceeds are subject to a 20% income tax. Any income or winnings from other forms of gambling are deemed illegal and usually confiscated.

History of Gambling Laws in China

Ironically, China has a very long history of gambling, with many of today's most popular activities originating there. Gambling in China can be traced back to some 4,000 years ago, around the time of the first dynasty. It wasn't until 1949 when the Communist Party of China came to power, that gambling was officially deemed illegal.

Certain activities in Hong Kong have been legal for many years due to the region's status as a British colony until 1997.

Macau was a Portuguese colony, with many of the special administrative region's laws stemming from the European country. As such, gambling has been legal since the 1850s. Casino gaming is so popular that the region's revenues from the industry overtook those of Las Vegas in 2007, making it the world's number one land-based casino location.

Key Facts

• Most types of gambling in China are illegal, with few exceptions. These are the two state-run lotteries and in-person sports betting.

• All types of online gambling are illegal in China, even cryptocurrencies are banned too.

• Two special administrative regions of China have slightly different laws. Horse racing is permitted in Hong Kong, while land-based casino gaming and sports betting are legal in Macau.