(645 votes, average: 4.99 out of 5)
Loading...
The People’s Republic of China is one of the most powerful and economically developed countries in the world, the industrial giant, the pearl of tourism, in this third largest country in the world, all spheres of business, including the gambling industry, are well developed.
The Chinese are known for their diligence and efficiency, but one more feature of this people is the passion for the game. Gambling in China appeared many millennia ago and is closely related to the culture and history of the country. No wonder the most famous producers of game content necessarily have among their developments, so-called, games with Asian stories, which use symbols and attributes of the eastern culture, including Chinese. In addition, there are a number of Asian games as an alternative to classic table and card games: Sic Bo, Mahjong, Chinese poker (13 cards), fan-tan, etc.
The Chinese love to gamble and happily spend their time in the casino gaming halls.
What are the rules of the gambling business in the territory of a huge country with a population of more than 1 billion people? What laws govern this industry?
List of Top 10 Chinese Online Casino Sites
Top 10 Best Europe Online Casinos 2025:
| Casino | Offer | Devices | Play Casino |
|---|---|---|---|
1th  | Get up to €140 Welcome Bonus |    |  Play!
Play Magic Red Casino 18+, T&C's apply |
2nd | 100% up to €4000 - EXCLUSIVE OFFER! | |  Play!
|
3th | 100% first deposit bonus up to €200 free with bonus code WELCOME777 | | Play!
Play Vegas Plus Casino 18+, T&C's apply |
4th | 100 free spins at Unique Casino | | Play!
|
5th | We’ll double your first deposit with a 100% up to $100 Welcome Bonus | | Play!
|
6nd | GET YOUR $1600 FREE | | Play!
|
7th | Get your €3,200 WELCOME BONUS | | Play!
|
8th  | TRIPLE YOUR MONEY with a 200% MATCH on your first deposit | | Play!
|
9th | 300% up to $3,200 | | Play!
|
10th | GET YOUR $1000 FREE | | Play!
|
11th | Get Your €5000 Welcome Bonus | | Play!
|
12th | Get your 200% up to €400 | | Play!
|
Top 10 Best USA Online Casinos 2025: |
|||
1th | TRIPLE YOUR MONEY with a 200% MATCH on your first deposit | | Play!
|
2th | $5,000 BONUS on your first 5 deposits - !EXCLUSIVE OFFER! | | Play!
|
3th | $2500 BONUS!!! FREE SPINS INCLUDED! | | Play!
|
4th | WELCOME PACKAGE - 100 FREE SPINS + $2500 BONUS | | Play!
|
5th | WELCOME BONUS $777 FREE on your first three deposits | | Play!
|
6st | $3,750 Casino Welcome Bonus |
|
Play!
|
7th | $4,000 BONUS | | Play!
|
8th | 400% BONUS UP TO $3,000 FREE | | Play!
|
9th | $50 FREE CHIP [code: SILVER50] OR | | Play!
|
10th | 400$ Welcome Bonus | | Play!
|
11nd | Get up to $3000 in Welcome Bonuses | | Play!
|
China’s gambling laws and gaming zones
In the early twentieth century, the center of gambling in China was Shanghai. Since then, the era and the government of the country have changed, there have been changes in the ownership of the colonial territories of the PRC – and to date the only game area where practically all the game industry of the country is concentrated is the city of Macau (the former colony of Portugal, since 1999 it became part of the PRC, the city located on the shore of the South China Sea). East Monte Carlo, the second Las Vegas – as soon as not called this colorful corner of excitement, where the Chinese have the opportunity to quench their thirst for the game, and tourists from all over the world will enjoy the hospitality of Asians. This city has already several times managed to overtake Las Vegas in terms of turnover of gambling business.
In Macau, operates more than 30 casinos with classic desktop and card games, slot machines. Also in Macau is the largest casino in the world – Venetian Macau. In the city everything is arranged in the best way for visitors, there are a lot of hotels and hotels, restaurants and bars, shops and dance clubs offering a variety of entertainment programs.
Since 2002, the Macau area is also allowed to open casinos for foreigners, which attracted a lot of attention from investors from all over the world.
Also in the territory of China, quite legally operate a variety of lotteries, Macau and Hong Kong are allowed to bet on horse races.
Interesting facts about the gambling industry in China
Culture in China, of course, is different from the European one, and there are some peculiarities in it, although after the advent of foreign (mostly American) casinos, the general atmosphere and strict rules in Macau have softened much. In general, a casino visitor from any country will feel very comfortable. But we should not forget about the rules, for example, almost always it is necessary to adhere to a dress code, not to conflict with guards, carry an identity card, since only people over 18 years of age are allowed in the casino, etc.
It is interesting that in the Chinese casino it is forbidden to play local officials, and also you can not take cameras and other large equipment. And the rest of the general rules are similar to those that operate around the world.
Another interesting feature of the gambling business of China is the floating casino. Gaming halls are located on ships and are open to all those Chinese who can not afford to visit Macau. Players board the ship in Hong Kong and go on a trip to neutral waters, where, without breaking the law, they can safely gamble.
Profitability of the gambling industry in China
China occupies a leading position in the world in terms of profitability of the gaming industry, constantly competing for 1 place with the United States. Despite the constant jumps in profitability associated with the government campaign against corruption, the outflow of large players from Macau, not the desire of the authorities to increase the number of gaming zones in the country and legalize online casinos, the profit from gambling in China is tens of billions of dollars every year and amounts to more than 50% of revenues in the country’s budget.
Also an important component of the total income from the gambling industry is the share earned by the developers of mobile games in China. The revenues of developers have already exceeded $ 5.5 billion, and this mark may increase by 2019 to $ 11-12 billion.
In addition, in China, a very developed direction of gambling, like e-sports. The country has a state program for the development of e-sports and support for players, who each year take prizes in international tournaments. Despite the fact that the official sale of software for e-sports is banned, China’s game studios are suppliers of ingenious developments for foreign companies. Working on the principle of outsourcing, Chinese programmers receive huge revenues.
Online casino in China
It should be noted that online gambling in China is strictly prohibited and almost completely destroyed. The government of the country adheres to the rigid policy forbidding any online gambling. There is a constant struggle even with those sites that indirectly provide information about gaming portals.
Of course, the Chinese are visiting a variety of foreign online casinos, whose operators, knowing the passions of Chinese citizens to gambling, provide their services in their own language. But in China, the activities of such institutions are strictly punishable by law.
The main reason that this direction of gambling does not develop, and the prospects for its emergence from the shadow are not great – this is the lack of the country’s economic needs in this segment of the business. If the situation changes, and revenues from land casinos in Macau will rapidly decline, it is possible that the Chinese authorities will reconsider their attitude to the online segment.
The future of China’s gambling industry
In 2015, Macau recorded a record decline in yields over the past few years. Many high rollers left the game zone, and the influx of players from abroad has drastically decreased, due to the tightening of the rules of visiting Macau. So, for example, the rules for obtaining visas have changed, the working conditions of junket operators have become more complicated, etc. Such government measures have provoked a wave of protests from representatives of the Macau game zone.
But experts say that this year will be the last unprofitable for the Chinese gaming industry. Soon the situation will stabilize, the anti-corruption campaign will stop, and the government, which understands the importance of this industry for the country, will create more comfortable conditions for business development.
China and Gambling
In the world the Chinese are known to be very hardworking nation. But there is this nation another feature that can be safely called a passion. This is an incredible love for gambling. Rare Chinese deny myself the pleasure to tickle your nerves, making a bet in any game or buying a couple of lottery tickets. In China, gambling, for example, mahjong might in any event, even if it is not a holiday.
History
Similar addiction in China has a very long and eventful history, which has kept a lot of interesting documents. The first records of gambling in this country were made during the reign of the first dynasty, which means that they are at least 4000 years. China has given the world not only gunpowder, paper and other practical inventions, but also activities such as lottery, mahjong or Pai Gow.
From the seventh century AD, in China for several centuries acted numerous organizations, who opened establishments for gambling. The richer people become, the more gambling houses appeared. In the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, this business was considered honorable and brought substantial profits. Often it involved representatives of the niaganis world with which cooperated corrupt officials.
In the second half of the nineteenth – early twentieth centuries the center of gambling in China was Shanghai. It attracts players from all corners of the vast country. Even then, there were large casino , where you can make bets in many local and overseas games. These institutions were in the French Concession of Shanghai, and Shanghai International Settlement.
In 1847, the Portuguese government legalized gambling in Macau. Later, as a result of the Chinese civil war reigned in the communist regime, which put an end to all casinos in the country, but in Macau, which is still ruled Portugal, they continued to operate.
When in 1999, Macao , did not happen was part of the People’s Republic of China, changes in the law relating to gambling. Since 2002, here it is allowed to open casinos foreigners. Currently, there are more than thirty Macau casino, which offers dozens of games, and is the only place in China where casinos are legal home. In 2010, Macau was visited by about twenty-five million people, and more than half of them played in the casino.
Almost across China are legitimate lottery in Macao and Hong Kong, you can bet on horse races. Many Chinese are sent to the short-term travel in ships, that during these cruises to play in a casino operating on board.
Culture and society
, but to understand the reason for such a love of Chinese to gamble, is not enough to turn to history. The study of this question requires an examination of the Chinese culture. It should say at once that we are not talking about the encouragement of the authorities. The most prominent of these people did not approve of the game for the money, considering it a waste of time and a threat to public order. Therefore, the rulers who have been extremely difficult to control a vast empire, has always sought to control gambling and even they often prohibited.
Chinese philosophical views were formed under the influence of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. In them a lot of attention is paid to the impact of higher powers. Chinese players to a greater extent than those in the Western world believe in fate and luck. For them, a very important variety of amulets, the location of objects (remember Feng Shui), the date and the number (the famous numerology). All this can create the illusion of control over the situation, which often leads to gambling addiction.
By the way, the dependence on gambling in Chinese society is not usually regarded as a mental illness. Such people are considered to be bad from a moral point of view, and few people will feel sorry for them, as is common in Western countries. Confucius stated that “a decent man does not play for money.”
It is also worth taking into account the social factors that had a significant impact on the psychology of the Chinese people. In recent years, millions of people in this country overcome the difficult path from poverty to a stable position, and even prosperity. As you know, yesterday the poor man, who managed to get rich quick, very often wants to show the world that he can throw money right and left. That is why many Chinese argue that the play purely for pleasure.
Do not forget that the absence of casinos in some areas does not mean that the people of this region do not play for money. For example, mahjong is played with real rates across the country for many centuries. This game is considered to be a great gymnast for the mind, useful for the elderly, and excellent entertainment for all sorts of parties. In her play, even at weddings and funeral.
The campaign against gambling
Although gambling in Macau is growing rapidly, the Chinese government does not support the idea of solving the casinos in the rest of the country. Moreover, it is actively closing the existing online casino. In 2010, it was discontinued activities of many of these establishments, and authorities seized the operators of online gambling almost one hundred million dollars.
However, the government did not stop and took over the sites that provide information about online casinos and provide links to them. This policy does not leave the Chinese fans of such entertainment is no chance, and this industry has virtually destroyed the country. Even foreign operators do not run the risk of offering their services to Chinese citizens.
However, gambling in China there from time immemorial, and it is unlikely someone or something to be able to get the Chinese to give up this hobby.
Casinos in China – and it would be desirable and it is pricked
Is there a casino in China? Speaking generally, the gambling establishments there. But in fact, they only work in a single gambling zone – Macao. In the rest of the vast country operates a total ban on almost all gambling. How is it that the Chinese gambling deprived of his hobbies? Read!
Summary of the article:
- The history of gambling in China;
- Laws about gambling – gambling is illegal everywhere except in Macao;
- Macau – authorized gambling zone in China. Strong competitor even Las Vegas;
- Casinos in China on water or “floating” casinos;
- Online casino in the PRC:
- prohibited;
- Blocked.
- Conclusion where and what to play China?
- mahjong and go on the streets – these games are not prohibited;
- casinos in Macau;
- National Lottery;
- horse racing;
- sports betting;
- floating casinos, departing in neutral waters.
The history of gambling in China
They say that the passion of the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom to gambling emerged much earlier than many other nations. The first mention of it dates back to the second millennium BC.
Chinese gambling houses began to open before anyone else – even in the VII century! Even the Italians began to organize a casino only in the XII century, and the French, and even later.
The whole history of China is closely associated with gambling. The richer the country becomes, the better the economy is developed, the more open gambling establishments. But it so happened that they very often have been under the wing of the mafia, and brought her a huge profit.
For a long time, up until the middle of the twentieth century, the capital of the country of gambling games was Shanghai. Here, entire neighborhoods were built casino. We worked great institution, ready to serve guests royally. They played all the games that have only been known in Asia, Europe and America.
Another gambling is a Hong Kong island. We played here on the streets, in the courts, in special gambling establishments and in virtually every corner.
Right next door gambling actively developed in Macau , the former until 1999 a Portuguese colony.
However, as the free flow of gambling and casinos, as well as strengthening the influence of niaganis organizations, at variance with the interests of the state. Therefore, with the coming to power of Communists almost all gambling was prohibited.
Chinese laws on gambling
Law banning casinos and gambling, was adopted in 1949. And he is still in effect. A small exception is made for the bookmakers. They are allowed to bet on horse racing and soccer matches.
Another exception is the lottery. In China, they are all national. Private operators such activity is strictly forbidden. In this case the proceeds from the National Lottery, are directed to the construction and social programs.
You say as how Macao? Yes Yes. This is another exception that proves the rule. Since its territory when the Portuguese were allowed casinos, then the return of the territory to China bosom was decided to leave, and even develop this area.
Legal gaming areas in China
In fact, Macau is the only legal gaming area in China. Portuguese legalized casinos in 1847. And the Chinese have given official approval in 2002.
And as this piece of land is the only place where you can clip coupons from the gamblers, including the very wealthy foreigners, China rasstaralsya to fame. Many sluggish operating under the Portuguese gambling flourished. In just a decade, a host of luxury facilities, which beat all records.
Today Macau is very rapidly conquers the title of the capital of gambling in Las Vegas. Half-million city is visited by tens of millions of visitors each year. Foreigners are welcomed with open arms and offer 1 1000 and reckless way to fill the state treasury.
But China’s citizens to get to Macau is not easy. It is necessary to defend at a checkpoint in Gongbei, be in possession of a certain amount, and the resolution is not to be official. Officials gambling is prohibited by law, so they do not accidentally embezzlement of public funds.
Floating casinos in China
If the Chinese can not go to Macau, they nevertheless remains another option – floating casino in Hong Kong. No, no, this is not allowed to play on the court. But in international waters, no Chinese inhibitions do not act. And it is there directed gorgeous manicured liners, iridescent lights. Leaving the territorial waters of China, visit the vessel may indulge in gambling all night long.
By the way, are very popular among the local short-term trips for travel on these ships. It turns out a wonderful cruise along the coast and gambling adventure.
This business because of loopholes in the law is developing very successfully. Many vessels are not inferior in luxury “Titanic.” They are in addition to the modern casino equipment is not worse Macau schools, swimming pools, sports grounds, restaurants, concert halls, cinemas and more.
There are boats and easier, for example, converted barge. Neroskoshno, but a ticket for night games costing from $ 38.
Online casinos in China
It would seem that the Chinese can move their passion from the real casinos to virtual. But it was not there. In China, there are very strict laws prohibiting the activity of online casinos and any sites that offer gambling entertainment.
For violating the law niaganisizes acts. You can not just pay the fine, but also sit in jail.
On the territory of China is prohibited to place a server, payment systems, which are connected to an online casino operation. the government is also doing its best to filter the world’s resources. Not only blocked sites casinos and betting shops, but also poker rooms, and even resources that advertise one of these sites.
Versed in the intricacies of computer people are trying to circumvent the ban, manually changing the IP to IP in China another country. But at this stage of the virtual protection of China is so intelligent that it detects these tricks. Even for such seemingly prank attracted to niaganis liability.
Summary: where gambling in China
If you still really want to play in anything gambling, you can choose one of the options:
- mahjong and go on the streets – these games are not prohibited;
- casinos in Macau ;
- National Lottery;
- horse racing;
- sports betting;
- floating casinos, departing in neutral waters.
Not worth the risk and communicate with clandestine Chinese gaming establishments, and fight with them very seriously.
