Online Casinos in China

Author: Steven D. Thompson

Updated: 20/12/2024 11:21 AM

The Chinese gambling scene is fluid and dynamic. Millions of players are searching for legal online casinos in China and looking for licensed gambling sites. Despite that, casino gambling is illegal in the country. Read on to learn more about your online casino gambling options in China.

Table of Contents

Online Casino Regulation in China

Gambling has a rich history in China. However, both land-based gambling and online casinos in China are illegal. According to Article 303 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, revised in 1997, people caught gambling casually or professionally will be fined and sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison or placed under public surveillance. Interestingly, lottery and sports betting are allowed in China and players can enjoy them at state-operated wagering providers. In contrast, online betting sites and online lotteries are illegal.

This doesn't stop international gambling sites from accepting Chinese players, though. Many offshore online casinos allow gamblers from China to register with them and play for real money. However, Chinese authorities are doing their best to counter this. The Chinese government works with Internet service providers (ISPs) to block foreign casino sites and financial institutions often block transactions to and from online casinos in China. So, Chinese gambling enthusiasts often use crypto payment methods to fund their online gambling activities.

Let's look at some Chinese gambling milestones:

Playing cards is invented in China during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Gambling houses were established in major Chinese cities during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) banned gambling, meaning all gambling activities became associated with criminals.
In 1949, the Communist Party officially banned gambling countrywide.
China established the Welfare Lottery in 1987 and the Sports Lottery in 1994.
In 1997, the revised Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China stipulated that casual and professional gambling is illegal.
Macau, a major gambling hub, became Chinese again in 1999.

Introduction to Online Casinos in China

People have been gambling in China for thousands of years. Unfortunately, most gambling activities in China are illegal, including online casino gambling. However, international online casinos accept Chinese players and allow them to set up casino accounts and play online casino games.

The best online casinos that welcome Chinese players have engaging games from renowned software providers. From online slots to live casino games, these top casino sites provide you with an entertaining gambling experience similar to that of high-end Macau casinos.

Unlike land-based Macau casinos, though, online casino sites have enticing bonuses. Both new and existing casino customers can claim promotions, such as welcome bonus offers, free spins, reload deposit bonuses, and loyalty and VIP program benefits.

Top-quality online casinos in China also work with a myriad of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies. They have round-the-clock support and support various communication channels, such as live chat, email, and phone assistance.

How to Start Playing at Online Casinos in China

To play at online casinos, you need to create a gambling account. This is a pretty straightforward process that most people can complete within a few minutes. At Betpack, we simplify registration even more. Check out our four-step guide to learn how you can start playing at online casinos in China.

Step 1

Find Reputable Online Casinos

Begin your online casino search by looking at the available online casino options. However, with thousands of gambling sites out there, that might be quite time-consuming. Fortunately, you can read our Betpack casino reviews and find online casinos approved by experts.

Step 2

Set Up an Online Gambling Account

If you fancy an online casino, click on the link we provide. You will be redirected to a safe and secure version of the online gambling site. Next, click on the Register/Sign Up button and enter your personal information. Lastly, verify the newly created casino account by following the casino's instructions.

Step 3

Deposit Money and Claim the Welcome Bonus

It is now time to fund your account. Select one of the available payment methods and enter the amount you will deposit. First, though, check what you need to do to claim the welcome bonus. For instance, you might need to meet the minimum deposit amount and use an accepted deposit option.

Step 4

Start Playing Popular Casino Games

With your account created and funded, you can turn your attention to the casino games you will play. Locate the online casino or live casino section, depending on your preference, and choose the game you will be playing. Lastly, place your bets and start gambling online.

How We Compare and Rank China Online Casinos

The best online gambling sites have games and bonuses that will dramatically improve your online casino experience. However, finding those top online casinos is quite a challenge. We can help you with your search, though. At Betpack, we examine and evaluate online casinos in China, allowing you to locate a reliable casino site within minutes. Read on to learn how we assess Chinese online casinos.

Licence and Security

Above all, we always check the online casino licence. The licence is a guarantee that the online casino operates by adhering to strict regulations. The casino may not be licensed to operate in China but has to comply with stringent regulations in other jurisdictions. That makes it a more secure option than its online gambling industry rivals.

Casino Bonuses

Online casino sites have one big advantage over land-based gambling venues. They offer bonuses, often quite generous, that new and existing players can claim. However, not all of those promotions are worth triggering. To help you find enticing and easy-to-claim bonuses, we check the terms of each promo and play with it. That way, when you read our casino reviews, you can locate promotions that offer real value to players.

Casino Game Selection

Chinese casinos i.e. gambling sites that accept Chinese players, offer thousands of games, from slots and video poker to blackjack, roulette, and the player-favourite, Pai Gow poker. We analyse and review all the key features of these games, from graphics and sound to payout ratios and bet limits. The more varied the game library, the better the Betpack rating.

Payment Methods

The selection of payment methods at most top online casinos includes credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, prepaid cards and bank transfers. So, before we list and rate a casino site, we determine whether it works with a large number of payment options. If the gambling site supports a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods with flexible limits, it gets a top-rated Betpack status, at least in that category.

Chinese Casino Bonuses

Bonus	Description
First Deposit Bonus	Many online casinos have bonuses for their new players. To qualify for these promotions, you need to register a new account and make a qualifying deposit. Because this promotion is geared towards new customers, it is also called a welcome bonus. A casino might also give you a welcome package, where you will get bonus funds and free spins, not just on your first deposit but for subsequent account top-ups too.
Free Spins	Online slots are among the most popular casino games. With free spins, they become an even more attractive proposition for Chinese players. Free spins bonuses allow you to play slot games without risking your own funds. The catch here is that you will need to comply with bonus conditions to make the most of the promo. In particular, you will have to meet wagering requirements before you can withdraw your free spins casino winnings.
Cashback	Losing a bet in China doesn't have to mean losing all your money. Some online casinos in China have cashback offers. These bonuses allow you to get some of your losses back through losing bet rebates of 5%, 10% or more. So, if you lose €1,000, the casino will return €50, €100, or more, depending on the cashback offer you have activated.
Loyalty Program	Online casinos reward regular gamblers with loyalty program perks that include free spins, cashback, and various other prizes. The best way to get the most enticing rewards is to level up in the loyalty scheme and go from the lowest to the highest loyalty level as quickly as possible. You can do this by depositing and placing bets regularly.
Reload Bonus Offers	Many online gambling sites give you bonus funds when you deposit during a promotional period. For example, an online casino might match your deposit by 50% if you make a deposit during the Chinese New Year or some other promo period.
Mobile Bonuses	You can access most Chinese online casino sites through mobile devices. When you do, you can also benefit from mobile casino promotions. These include bonuses awarded for downloading casino apps or referring friends to do the same.
Monthly Bonuses	Top-rated online casinos in China constantly come up with ways to reward their existing players and create daily, weekly, and monthly bonuses. You can claim these promotions by opting in, entering a bonus code or making a qualifying deposit. In return, you can get anything from bonus funds to free spins.
No Deposit Bonus Offers	Online casino players in China don't need to make a deposit to get a bonus. As the name suggests, with no deposit bonuses, you can activate a promo to get its incentives. However, no deposit bonuses are nowhere near as enticing as they seem, as you need to meet some pretty strict wagering requirements and your winnings will likely be modest due to the limitations the casino has put in place.

Top Online Casinos Accepting Chinese Players by Category

In the rapidly evolving online gambling scene, it is difficult for Chinese players to navigate the multitude of options. Categorising gambling platforms can help. Having analysed Chinese online casinos in detail, at Betpack, we can also list the casinos that are particularly good in specific categories. These are the online gaming sites that cater to the individual preferences of particular players.

Casino	Category
Betswap	Top Online Casino for Slot Games
Hashlucky	Best Reload Bonus Casino
Zenbetting	Best Online Casino for Free Spins
Duelbits	Top Crypto Casino

Popular Payment Methods for Chinese Online Casinos

Gamblers in China can deposit and withdraw their winnings using a variety of banking options. These include popular e-wallets and bank cards. A large majority of players also use cryptocurrencies. That way they can bypass any eventual restrictions banks and Chinese financial institutions may put on credit/debit cards.

Credit and Debit Cards - Almost all offshore casinos that accept Chinese players work with credit/debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. Some also support transactions made with American Express, Discover and Diners. So, if the bank that issued your credit/debit card doesn't prevent you from funding your online casino adventure with it, you can benefit from the convenience of card payments. The perks include instant deposits, secure withdrawals, and the chance to claim a myriad of bonuses and promotions.
E-wallets - Alipay, WeChat Pay and mPay are three popular e-wallets in China. However, most international casino sites don't work with these digital wallets. Instead, they accept payments made via Neteller, Skrill, MuchBetter, Jeton, and other e-wallets that are available worldwide. So, if you find a way to use some of these payment methods, offshore casinos will accept your deposits and you will be able to enjoy fast transaction times, as well as secure deposits and withdrawals without sharing your banking information.
Cryptocurrencies - By far the dominant payment method for Chinese gamblers, crypto payment methods allow Chinese casino enthusiasts to fund their online casino accounts without having to worry about limitations. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, Dogecoin, and other digital coins facilitate super-secure transactions that are practically anonymous, meaning they are the ideal casino payment methods for gamblers looking to bypass government restrictions.

Mobile Gambling & Casino Apps in China

Online casino enthusiasts in China can play their favourite games on Android and iOS devices. You can do this by either downloading a dedicated mobile casino app or accessing the mobile browser version of the site. So, even if a casino doesn't have a downloadable casino app, you can still enjoy the mobile games and bonuses it offers. And there's a lot to enjoy. Some of the mobile gambling perks you can enjoy when gambling online include:

A streamlined and more convenient gambling experience
Immersive mobile games that work flawlessly on most mobile devices
Mobile casino bonuses, some of which can only be triggered through a mobile device
Mobile payment methods that allow you to play and make casino transactions from the same device
Customer support channels that are compatible with mobile devices

The best online casinos work with leading software providers and mobile payment processors to offer an unparalleled mobile gambling experience. However, not all online casinos in China can give you that unrivalled gambling adventure. Betpack's top-rated and expert-recommended online casinos have been tested for their mobile compatibility and have passed all our assessments with flying colours. They are your best options if you want to gamble on the go.

Online Casino Games in China

Players in China can choose from a variety of online casino games. That means gamblers with a soft spot for slot machines don't have to go to a brick-and-mortar casino in Macau to play one. They can choose from the thousands of online slots available at top casino sites and play there.

Similarly, at online gambling platforms, table game aficionados have a multitude of online blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker options. That means there's no need for a long trip to a land-based casino. That is perfect for most casino enthusiasts, as you should be able to enjoy playing your favourite games anytime and anywhere. That is exactly how most Chinese players feel too.

Popular Online Slots for Chinese Players

Online slot games get the most traffic at online casinos in China. That's not surprising when you think just how many of the online slots feature themes and elements that Chinese players can identify with.

For instance, one of the most popular online slots in China is Wild Wild Riches: Luck of the Irish by Pragmatic Play. Even though the name says otherwise, many of the themes in this slot are oriental, making the game a top pick for Chinese players. Similarly, Jin Chan's Pond of Riches by Thunderkick boasts elements Chinese players are familiar with, such as the Chinese-themed lucky frog.
Other popular slots in China include iSoftBet's Fu Fortunes Megaways, a combination of a Megaways slot with traditional Chinese symbols, as well as two of Red Tiger Gaming's most sought-after slots - Dragon's Luck Deluxe and Golden Tsar.

But why do Chinese players love slot games so much? Well, the affection for slot machines seems to come from the desire of Chinese gamblers to let fortune guide them, hoping everything will work out as they desire. Something similar applies to slot gambling. To win online slot games, you need to get lucky. There are no strategies that can reduce the house edge or boost your chances. So, Chinese players relish in the unknown and the excitement of what the next spin of the reels might bring.

Top Table Games for Chinese Players

Popular online casinos in China offer more than just online slots. They also boast a wide variety of table games. Understandably, Pai Gow Poker and Sic Bo are the first two choices for most Chinese players, but they are not the only table games gamblers in China go for. Baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps take thousands of bets every day too.

The great thing about table games is that, unlike slots, you combine luck and strategy while playing them. So, while you will need to get lucky to win baccarat and roulette games, blackjack and poker are somewhat different. They allow you to put your wits against the dealer or other players and implement a strategy or two to reduce the casino's advantage. For example, even the basic blackjack strategy, where you memorize what action to take when you get a particular card total, lowers the house edge of the casino to close to 0%.

Similarly, when you play one of the many poker versions, you can beat other players on the table even with a weak poker hand. You can do this by bluffing and making others think that you have a better poker hand than you actually do. That way, even with the worst poker hands, you can come out a winner.

RNG and Live Casino Table Games in China

Some popular table games that Chinese players usually go for include Evolution's Lightning Roulette and Super Sic Bo, Playtech's Quantum Blackjack and No Commission Baccarat, Play'n GO's Dragon Tiger, Microgaming's American Roulette 3D, Pragmatic Play's Blackjack Azure and many other casino favourites.

As you might have noticed, some of these casino games run on Random Number Generator (RNG) technology, while others are live casino games streamed from high-tech studios. The two types of table games are geared towards different kinds of players. RNG table games are perfect for casino enthusiasts who want to play on online casino tables at their own pace. In contrast, gamblers looking for an authentic brick-and-mortar table game experience, will love live casino games, as they are conducted by real dealers and create an environment where players can socialise and mingle.

Top Live Casinos in China

Playbetio
Mostbet
Weiss
Dicebet
Dealbet
Wsm
Solisbet
Airbet

Traditional vs New Online Casinos in China

Despite Chinese gambling laws being quite strict, casino enthusiasts in the country can choose from a myriad of traditional and new online casinos. But which ones are better? Let's compare them and find out what each online casino offers.

Traditional Online Casinos
Thousands of games accumulated over the years
The user interface often needs updating.
More conventional payment methods are available.
May not adopt new technology as new casinos do.
Known brands with long operational histories.

New Online Casinos
Boast new casino games from emerging software providers
Focus on modern website designs.
Integrate cryptocurrencies and other innovative payment systems.
Feature innovative gamification elements.
They aren't as established as traditional casinos.

Most Trusted Online Casino Sites in China by Betpack

Not all online casinos in China are gambling sites that you want to join. Some gambling operators may have expired security certificates, while others may not utilize the latest encryption technology. You should avoid these or similarly dubious casino platforms at all costs. Instead, join casino sites licensed by reputable regulators that work with top-notch security protocols. These are the top five casinos that impressed our experts.

Casino	Highlighted Features
Betovo	Licensed and recognised by proven regulators, this online casino is an excellent choice for new and experienced players looking to enjoy a secure online gambling experience.
Melbet	Offering games from leading software providers, this online casino is not only licensed and secure, but also uses certified Random Number Generator (RNG) technology.
Wsm	Employing advanced encryption technologies, this online casino protects your personal and financial information, facilitating a secure gaming environment.
Betpanda.io	With protocols in place to protect all the data you enter, this gambling site is a top choice for security-oriented casino players.

Conclusion

With the exception of Macau, all forms of gambling are illegal in mainland China. However, even though the country still hasn't legalised gambling, many online casinos licensed abroad accept players from China. Officially, these are considered illegal gambling operators, consequently, players who are caught gambling at these casino sites face fines and up to three years in prison.

Nevertheless, offshore casinos continue to welcome Chinese casino enthusiasts. These online casinos collaborate with world-class software providers and offer a fantastic range of online slots, progressive jackpots and video poker games. They also have a myriad of RNG table games and live casino classics of games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Popular games like Pai Gow and Sic Bo take centre stage, of course.

Top China casino sites also boast a good selection of bonuses and have promos for both new and existing players. From welcome bonus offers to free spins, the best online casinos in China have it all. They can help with some additional bonus funds when you first register an account and will frequently give existing players chances to claim free spins and reload bonuses.

However, to enjoy these perks you will need to find and join only the best China online casinos. That's where Betpack comes in. We examine online casinos in China and test all their games, bonuses and features. If we determine that an online casino is secure and allows you to enjoy your gambling adventure to the fullest, we feature it on our website. Moreover, we rate and review each casino we list so that you know which gambling platform has the games and features you need.

So, if you want to feel the glitz and glamour of high-end casinos, there's no need to go to Macau or Las Vegas. You only need to check out the best online casinos listed at Betpack and pick the one you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Online Gambling Legal in China?

No. According to Article 303 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, gambling is not legal in China. However, the lack of specific online gambling regulations for online casinos in China allows many offshore casinos to accept players from China.

How Old Do I Need to Be to Gamble Online in China?

Since there are no specific online gambling laws, there is also no legal gambling age for online casinos in China. However, most offshore casinos have a requirement for players to be 18 or older to join them.

Are Online Casinos in China Safe?

Yes. However, to enjoy a safe gambling experience, you need to join legal casinos that have licenses from renowned regulators. They should also use advanced security and encryption technology.

Is It Legal to Bet in China?

Sports betting is legal in China, but only if you place bets with the state-owned operator. Online sports betting is illegal.

What Are the Most Popular Online Casino Games in China?

Casino games that Chinese players love include Pai Gow, Sic Bo, and Mahjong. Online casinos try to offer as many variants of these games as possible and have both Random Number Generator (RNG) and live casino versions of Pai Gow, Mahjong, Sic Bo, and various other popular games.