Last Updated: September 14, 2023
Gambling to Chinese people is a very common recreational activity. It is extremely popular form of enjoyment and a reason why we decided to write a guide to the best China online casinos.
We will cover all the laws, regulations and restrictions currently in effect, and how Chinese people can play their favorite gambling games online safely and legally.
There are many online casino sites that accept players from China without restrictions. And also without any liability to break any Chinese law. Read on to find out more.
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All of the following casino sites accept players from China and offer Chinese players the best games, banking methods and quick payouts.
With a population of over a billion people, China has one of the richest histories in the world. Amidst China’s rich historic culture, is the people’s love for betting and gambling. If you are a lover of history, then you have probably read about how the Chinese gambled on dice, cards, and animals dating back to 600 BC. However, despite their love for betting, the law hasn’t been favorable to Chinese gambling habits.
From an official point of view, gambling in China is illegal. Nonetheless, in the same country, you will find plenty of lotteries in different regions. For example, in Macau which is practically one of the largest gambling destinations in the world, you can find several land based casinos.
Additionally, gamblers in China are allowed to deposit in Renminbi and play various games in the Chinese language. For online China casino players interested in playing, their best option is to explore offshore casino websites.
There’s no denying that the Chinese gambling market is one of the most paradoxical in the world. Because, even though gambling is illegal in China, the country still earns high revenues from the industry. Chinese people love to enjoy sports betting, gamble on horses, and play many casino games.
If you are interested in playing on Chinese online casinos, in this article, we are going to inform you of all you need to know about online gambling sites for the people of China.
Is Online Gambling Legal in China?
Before we go any further in this article, you should know that at the moment, there are no licensed online casinos in China. The reason being, gambling is prohibited everywhere in China except for Macao and Hong Kong, where land-based betting is the only exception.
The Chinese laws are very strict about gambling and if caught, one may be subjected to heavy fines or jail terms. The good news however is that the authorities are mostly focused on operators, therefore, reducing the odds of one getting caught playing China-friendly online casinos.
For gambling enthusiasts, to access the best online casino China, one has to make use of a reliable VPN. This is because most of the famous online casinos have been blocked by the ‘great firewall’ (a program that was made to block the locals from accessing overseas internet services like Instagram, Facebook, and Google).
Online Gambling Laws in China
In 1977, China amended the criminal law to state that gambling was illegal in mainland China. Macau and Hong Kong were however exempted from this law. Fast forward to 2020, these two regions remain to be exempted from the above law and are restricted to only land-based gambling.
Moreover, the online gambling laws in China state that this allowance to engage in gambling is only given to tourists. Chinese nationals are not permitted to play in land-based gaming establishments.
On the other hand, lotteries are considered legal and are under the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The General Administration of Sports regulates the practice of lottery playing. From these complex laws and regulations, one is definitely left to ponder where online gambling lies.
According to Chinese laws, online casino gambling is illegal. The Chinese administration issued this law in 1977 and has been enforced ever since. However, Chinese players can use virtual private software to access their favorite gambling sites.
Chinese locals that wish to enjoy the thrill of casinos are forced to do so in land-based casinos in neighboring countries such as South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. There being no Chinese laws that state it is illegal for one to play in other countries, one can play these casino games when on holiday in the above countries.
And because online gambling is illegal in China, there is no legal online gambling age. However, off-shore online casinos will have an 18 or 21 mandatory age requirement.
How Can the Chinese People Gamble Online Legally?
Obviously, the best Chinese casino sites are those not based in China. The strict laws make it impossible for operators to provide their services. However, Chinese nationals have a safer and more legal option of playing their favorite casino games from offshore online casino sites.
To gamble online legally, people residing in China need to adhere to the following;
Stick to Major Brands
Of course, there are hundreds of operators that accept Chinese players. However, to avoid being scammed, players should stick to reputable casino brands. Internationally renowned companies are the only way for one to be guaranteed of safe play. Read real casino reviews to be sure that you are free of any scams and false casino information.
Use VPNs
Remember when we talked about the government firewall that prevents internet users from accessing platforms such as Google and Facebook? This program is also responsible for preventing those within China from accessing online casino sites.
This is why you need to find a good VPN that will mask your IP address. Kindly note that it’s not all casinos that allow players to use VPNs. You, therefore, need to consider this factor when looking for the best Chinese casino online site.
Understand English to a certain extent
Chinese players that can speak or understand English have a bigger advantage compared to those who don’t. Because most international casino platforms are in English by default. Google translate can help, but players that don’t speak or write in English should find a casino that can provide the gameplay in Chinese.
Secure and Fair Play
Because most casinos don’t have jurisdiction in China, it’s crucial for you to find a casino that offers secure and safe gameplay. For starters, the operator should offer protection to the player despite their nationality and provide fair protection as well.
We can’t emphasize enough on the need for Chinese players to use a reliable VPN. Even though the casinos accept gamblers from China. Getting caught may land you in trouble and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Are Online Casinos Popular in China?
Casinos in general are very popular in China especially in the regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Online casinos on the other hand remain to be illegal but very popular. Thanks to the introduction of powerful VPNs that can mask a user’s IP, Chinese nationals can play online slots in the comfort of their homes.
Because of these stringent laws in China, international operators have gone the extra mile to accept the Chinese currency and also provide the gameplay in the Chinese language. All these factors contribute immensely to the popularity of online casinos in China.
Real Money Games for Chinese Players
You will be surprised to find out that the most popular games found in overseas online casinos stem from China. As a matter of fact, in Macau, most table games that you will find are the ones offered by reputable casino operators.
Due to the fact that there are no online casinos, the games below are the popular ones Chinese players can find in offshore online casinos. Because most slot games have their origin in China, as a Chinese player you will definitely find a game or two that you are familiar with.
It goes without saying that the table games in the following are best enjoyed via the live casino dealers. This can be enjoyed from most of the China online casinos that we list here.
Real money games available to Chinese players include;
Baccarat
A very popular game in the west is also famous in China and has been played here for decades. You can find this game on land-based casinos in Macau as well as China online casinos.
Mah-jong
This tile-based game started being played in China since the 17th Century. It can be played by four players and one can make a lot of wins from it especially if you are a pro.
Sic Bo
Another popular game among Chinese players is Sic Bo. This dice game is very fun and can be quite rewarding if you are lucky.
Pai Gow
This is the original version of Pai Gow Poker. It’s legal to play in Macau and players can also play this game online.
Poker Games
There being no online casino China sites, poker lovers can always head offshore and compete with other players from the rest of the world.
Slot Machines
Obviously one of the most popular games to be played in any casino worldwide. There are numerous online slot games to choose from. And this includes for Chinese players.
Slots provide no shortage of action. Depending on the game, there are various bonus games, features and free spins to be won. Follow our top online casinos and you will have no shortage of slot fun.
Payment Options Available for Chinese Players
Even though common payment options in China like Tencent and Alipay aren’t accepted offshore, this doesn’t mean Chinese players can’t fund their online casino accounts. There are lots of payment options available which are accepted in overseas online casino accounts. Examples include;
Credit Cards
If you own a credit card in the form of Visa or Mastercard, you may be able to fund your casino account using your card. However, this is often unlikely because most banks will block any type of gambling activity with their cards.
Union Pay
This works like a regular debit and credit card. It allows you to deposit and accept withdrawals from online casino sites.
E-wallets
There is a truth that e-wallets have become one of the most used online casinos payment methods around today. They are used all around the world for a plethora of online purchasing transactions including online casinos.
Transactions through the likes of Skrill and Neteller are conducted thousands of times worldwide daily. The same can be said for ecoPayz gambling deposits. ecoPayz seems to becoming more widely available in recent years for casino payments.
Bank Transfers
If the above options don’t suit you, you can always resolve to bank transfers. If you have a Chinese banking account, you can fund it to your preferred e-wallet such as Skrill and Neteller then make deposits from there.
While we are still talking about payments, it is important to address what may happen when you win jackpots or other big prizes. Because there are no gambling operators in China, one isn’t required to pay tax on big wins.
We would have added Cryptocurrency as a payment method but because of China’s strict laws about crypto, it would make the process even more complicated. The above three are the most convenient methods you can use to fund your casino account.
Final Thoughts – Chinese Online Casinos
As interesting as online casinos are, gambling in China is not easy. This is despite the country’s rich history in betting and gambling. The government’s attitude towards gambling has made it impossible for online casinos to thrive. A lot of betting enthusiasts have tried to make recommendations that will ease the strict laws but the situation isn’t likely to improve anytime soon.
Therefore, as a player based in China and interested online casino games, your only option is to use a VPN to access an international casino site. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of casino sites that accept Chinese players. These online casinos will usher you in with an impressive welcome bonus, offer currency exchange, and unrivaled game play.
