Online Gambling at Casinos in China
While the ancient dynasties of China may not have had a completely positive outlook towards gambling and casinos, this hasn’t stopped the popularity of the activity from spreading across this huge country. Even in present-day online casinos are prohibited from operating on Chinese soil. However, that doesn’t mean that players in China are unable to join the fun.
Although the legalities of online gambling are quite strict in China, those who take the necessary safety measures to keep themselves safe will find many trustworthy casinos which have licences and operate within other jurisdictions, such as Europe, that allow players from China to play online. These casinos have adapted their services to include games and support in Mandarin and Cantonese, with many games geared towards a Chinese audience. It’s also possible to deposit and withdraw in RMB using trusted payment methods in China.
Are casinos legal in China?
There’s no need to avoid the truth of the matter; online gambling in China, and even land-based gambling, is completely illegal. Strict laws in the country have outlawed the practice of playing games of chance for real money wins. However, gambling regulations are not defined specifically and are not always regulated well.
Despite this, it’s important that those playing in mainland China are aware of the risks involved when playing at online casinos in China, which include paying fines and/or imprisonment. Although the deterrent is aimed mostly toward potential operators in the country, players should also follow safety procedures to protect themselves.
Online Gambling in Hong Kong and Macau
While the Chinese government has a complete block on gambling in the rest of mainland China, Hong Kong is much more lenient in comparison and Macau is a gambling paradise.
In Hong Kong, gambling is allowed in certain officially licensed premises and casinos. Horse betting and sports are the most widely accepted forms of betting. Macau, on the other hand, is considered the Las Vegas of the East, with an abundance of opulent casinos and gambling opportunities.
However, what does this all mean for online casino players? Well, in fact, there are no specific regulations in either jurisdiction for online gambling, which makes it a bit of a grey area. As there is no official regulatory body in Macau or Hong Kong for online casinos in China, no operator can obtain an official license in those areas.
But, it is possible for players in those areas to safely access sites with licenses from other internationally-respected official gambling licenses, such as the Malta Gambling Authority or Curaçao Gaming Authority. In fact, there are plenty of trustworthy sites which are happy to accept players and we have tried and tested them to make sure.
How risky is it really? – Online Gambling in China
We want to be clear about the strict policies in place in China. Gambling in any form is completely illegal on the mainland. This means that residents and foreigners living in China should be aware of the potential risks, which can involve monetary fines, imprisonment, problems with future Chinese visas, deportation and blacklisting from the country.
That being said, it seems that the Chinese authorities aren’t very active when it comes to prosecuting small-time players. But, policies and stances in the large country can change frequently, so players should remain up to date.
What games can you find at China Online Casinos?
Despite the restrictions and roadblocks that players might encounter on their journey to find online casinos in China, there are still plenty trustworthy options available for those that have done their research and still want to give gambling a go. Many reputable operators with licenses in other jurisdictions are happy to fill the giant void left for players from the Mainland, it’s an extremely popular and lucrative business after all.
So, you’ll be happy to hear that there are a multitude of gambling options available for China players too. These include East Asian favourites such as Mahjong, Pai Gow, and Sic Bo, but also other traditional casino games such as blackjack, roulette, keno, and baccarat too. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.
Online Slots
A favourite around the world and online casinos in China are no different. Players will find that slots are the most abundant game in most online games catalogues, as they come in every kind of theme, style, and budget possible. There are more traditional fruit machines with 3-reels and exciting Megaways slots that have over 17,000 paylines.
Slot machines also have the advantage of being able to access free spins at many online casinos, either as part of a welcome bonus or a special promotion. A lot of the best online casinos in China will ensure to offer these for those residing in China as well.
Table Games
Chinese online casinos offer plenty of variety when it comes to table games. You’ll find many varieties of classic games such as roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and many more. Some of the most popular versions in online casinos include Texas Hold’em, Lightening varieties, and Multi-wheel roulette. You’ll be as spoilt for choice as you would be at the best Macau casino tables.
Sic-Bo
A game that you can easily find in the best casinos in Macau, also known as Dai Siu, it’s a popular game traditionally played with three dice. As this game originated in Ancient China, it’s no surprise that it remains a sought-after game in online gambling for Chinese players. The game of chance relies on bets placed on the outcome of the three dice; it’s a quick-fire, exciting game where you can alter your bets depending on your preferred level of risk.
Pai Gow
Another betting game that originated in China, although the playing tiles may resemble dominoes at first glance they are actually a specific set of 32 Pai Gow tiles. The key to this game is acquainting yourself with the pairs and ranks of the tiles. Luckily, this popular Chinese game can be found in many of the best new online casinos.
Mahjong
The games available in Chinese online casinos wouldn’t be complete without this sought-after casino game. Although there are now many different themes and versions you can find in online casinos, the traditional 136-tile game remains abundantly available for Chinese players and those residing in China.
Tony Hawke 
