China Online Gambling Law

Updated: 2025

Mainland China is strictly against gambling. Both online and offline gambling is illegal, and both are punishable by fines and imprisonment. This applies to both operators and patrons. The country even attempts to block citizens' access to online casinos via the Great Firewall of China.

Of course, the Chinese people don't always pay attention to the latest decrees coming down from on high. The online gambling market in China is massive, despite the government's attempts to protect the people from themselves. Bodog Asia, Bet365.com and other sites welcome Chinese players with open arms.

We won't even try to tell you if it's safe or legal to place internet bets while in China, because we honestly don't know enough about the market to give you a definitive answer. Chinese law is strange, and the country is home to a huge population. As ForeignPolicy.com put it, China is a place where no vice is legal, but every vice is tolerated.

The closest thing mainland China has to gambling is the National Lottery. The lottery is available nationwide and brings in nearly as much revenue as the US lottery, but tickets cannot be purchased online.

Special Administrative Regions

Hong Kong and Macau are both considered "special administrative regions," in which China manages each region's defense and foreign affairs, but leaves each region in control of its own domestic laws, police, and economy. Hong Kong and Macau each allow certain forms of gambling.

Neither region has a system in place to monitor, regulate, or even allow online gaming sites to operate. The law does not prohibit or permit online gambling; it simply doesn't address the issue. Potential operators have no way to even attempt to obtain an online gambling license.

Therefore, online gambling in China is mostly dead. There are a few exceptions for Internet sports betting, but there's nothing for casino gambling or poker. The rest of this section will only cover offline gambling.

Hong Kong

Certain forms of gambling are legal in Hong Kong as long as they are administered by the government-sponsored Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). The HKJC is a government-sponsored non-profit corporation that administers the only legal forms of gambling in Hong Kong.

Residents are free to place bets through the HKJC, but all other forms of gambling are prohibited in Hong Kong. Permitted forms of gambling under the HKJC include parimutuel horse race betting, overseas football betting and the Mark Six lottery. There are approximately one hundred locations that residents can visit to get in on the action.

Not only is it illegal to operate an unlicensed bookmaker in Hong Kong, but it is also illegal for visitors and residents to place bets with unlicensed bookmakers, even if those bookmakers are located outside of Hong Kong. Penalties for dealing with illegal or overseas bookmakers include 9 months imprisonment and a $30,000 fine.

Macau

Macau is much more gambling friendly than the rest of China. In fact, Macau surpassed Las Vegas in gaming revenue in 2007. Macau is by far the largest gambling destination in the world. In 2013, Macau's gaming industry generated more than $45 billion in revenue.

Legal forms of gambling in Macau include traditional casino-style games, poker and limited forms of horse racing. These forms are all offered offline only, with the exception of local Internet betting options for some casinos. Macau does not address, license, or even recognize online gambling. As such, there are no legitimate gambling sites operating from Macau.

All gaming activities in Macau fall under the jurisdiction of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). The organization is responsible for the legislation, enforcement and supervision of the entire gaming industry.