The Best China Online Casinos in 2024
China, a country well-known for its gaming appetite is constantly amending policies in regards to online gambling. Read on for the most up-to-date information on China casinos, and if you’re browsing from another location, why not look at our Casinos by Country page!
- Top China Casinos – 2024 Update
- Top 3 Online Casino China Sites To Check Out in 2024
- Online Gambling in China
- History of Gambling in China
- Registering at an Online China Casino
- Best Bonuses at China Casinos
- Accepted Payment Methods
- Are There Any Casino Mobile Apps Available in China?
- The Future of Online Gambling in China
- Conclusion
- Best Online Casinos China FAQs
Top China Casinos – 2024 Update
- Registrations from Hong Kong & Taiwan permitted
- Increased privacy
- Generous welcome offer
- Open to Chinese players
- Traditional and simplified Chinese language options
- A wealth of ongoing promotions
- Accepts players from China
- CNY currency option
- High-quality live casino
- Accepts players from China
- 24/7 customer support
- Instant withdrawals & deposits
- Chinese registrations welcome
- Daily promotions
- Must-win jackpots
- Accepts players from China
- World’s 1st licensed crypto casino
- Multi-award-winning casino
Top 3 Online Casino China Sites To Check Out in 2024
In search of the right Chinese online casino for you? Our list below is here to help you get started:
BitStarz
Known for its generous promotional structure, BitStarz is the way to go if you want the best BTC bonus as a Chinese gambler. (Source: BitStarz.com)
BitStarz is a fantastic spot for Chinese players, blending conventional payment methods with cryptocurrencies for an additional privacy benefit. Licensed in Curaçao, the casino offers a massive 5 BTC + 180 free spins welcome package, VIP rewards and myriad BTC games. For further details, explore our BitStarz casino review.
Pros
- Insane progressive jackpots
- Crypto-friendly games
- Original content
Cons
- Bonus not issued in CNY
Dafabet
Dafabet caters to players from China by providing a language option in both Cantonese and Mandarin for website navigation. (Source: Dafabet.com)
As mentioned in our Dafabet casino review, we recommend this gambling hub because it offers Chinese language support and a great registration bonus of 100% up to $140. Other highlights of this Curaçao-approved operator include the VIP programme and the refreshing arcade-style games.
Pros
- Outstanding providers selection
- 24/7 live chat support
- Mobile app for Android/iOS
Cons
- Few video poker games
BetWinner
You can truly be a winner as this brand offers up to 10,800 CNY + 150 free spins if you make four consecutive deposits. (Source: Betwinner.com)
Another strong contender in the online casino China list, BetWinner starts us off with a great 10,800 CNY + 150 free spins welcome package. As observed in our BetWinner casino review, this brand excels at providing less common table and crash games, and further spoils players with recurring promos.
Pros
- VIP cashback bonuses
- Birthday rewards
- Mobile apps for Android/iOS
Cons
- Website is slow at times
Online Gambling in China
China has been under communist ruling since 1949, which have maintained a very prohibitive stance on all forms of gambling.
In theory, under the country’s strict laws, Chinese citizens are strictly banned from partaking in gambling activities on the mainland, as well as overseas and online. They are only allowed to participate in the two state-run lotteries, namely the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery. That’s because, according to the Chinese government’s definition, lotteries don’t qualify as a form of gambling.
However, many locals use common workarounds to escape this ban, including travelling to overseas locations where gambling is legal, such as the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, citizens also resort to using VPN services to mask their location when accessing online casinos and sports betting websites.
Is Online Gambling Legal in China? The Complicated Reality
Although online gambling in mainland China remains illegal, locals can still send funds to virtual gambling platforms through underground banking options. Offshore platforms operated in the Philippines in particular have become go-to options for Chinese nationals. Other major names have also come under scrutiny for using alternative domain names to take bets from Chinese citizens and escape the CCP’s watchful eye.
Given that a growing number of residents are interested in the topic of online casino China sites, numerous offshore online gambling operators have started targeting this segment of the audience. Another phenomenon that’s growing rapidly in the country is proxy betting — a practice in which you designate someone to place wagers on your behalf. This has enabled many VIP clients to use high stakes whilst avoiding the costs of a visit to a physical gambling establishment.
According to a recent market research report compiled by Imarc, the China online gambling market size reached $9.9 billion in 2022. If the same trend and pace is maintained, it’s estimated that by 2023, it’ll have a growth rate of 7.3%. Despite the constraining legal landscape, some factors that will likely contribute to the popularity of China online casino sites are the increased use of smart devices and the awareness of cryptocurrencies as useful tools to maintain anonymity.
History of Gambling in China
Despite its present inflexible regulatory framework, China has a very rich gambling history that spans over 3,000 years. Starting with Emperor Mencius, multiple dynasties have tried to ban the practice, albeit unsuccessfully.
Below are the most important events that have shaped the current reality we see regarding online gambling in China:
- 1935 — A stipulation is written into the Republic of China’s Criminal Code, prohibiting public gambling and acquiring any venues for players to assemble in, such as betting halls or casinos.
- 1949 — The Communist Party takes over, effectively outlawing gambling in China.
- 1987 & 1994 — The Chinese Communist government establishes two state-run lotteries that locals are legally allowed to participate in: The Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery.
- 2022 — China’s online gambling market size reaches $9.9 billion, despite the government’s failing efforts to crack down on the phenomenon.
- 2023 — According to the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), in 2023, 6/10 casino visitors were from mainland China. Macau, also known as the Las Vegas of the East, becomes a go-to place where Chinese nationals can gamble in person.
Registering at an Online China Casino
If you’re looking for an online casino in China, you’ll be treading a fine legal line, as the only viable options for Chinese nationals at the moment are offshore platforms regulated in other jurisdictions, such as Curaçao or Malta. Aside from that, the actual process of signing up is a standard one, and it’s usually the same on all China online casino sites:
- Visit the homepage of your online casino China of choice (for reliable suggestions, use our table above!)
- Find the registration option (should be on a top-side menu or banner).
- Complete the sign-up form with your personal details (name, surname, address etc.).
- Confirm the registration by inserting an SMS code or clicking on the link you received by email.
Online Casino China Registration Process – Other Key DetailsDo keep in mind that Gmail is blocked in the country, so you most likely have to either use an alternative provider or VPN service to bypass your original location. This is the only way you can receive the verification email from the casino.
In addition, once you want to withdraw your winnings, you’ll have to go through KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti Money Laundering) verifications. For that, you’ll need to supply copies of your ID, a bank statement, and/or a recent utility bill.
Best Bonuses at China Casinos
| BEST CASINO OFFERS | CASINO | PROMOTION |
|---|---|---|
| Best Welcome Bonus in Chinese Yuan renminbi | 1xBet | 11,000 CNY + 150 FS |
| Best China High-Roller Bonus | BitStarz | Up To 5BTC + 180 Free Spins |
| Best Crypto Welcome Bonus for Chinese Players | BitStarz | Up To 5BTC + 180 Free Spins |
| Best Cashback Bonus for Chinese Players | Bitcasino.io | 20% Cashback Up To 25,000USDT |
| Best Loyalty Programme for Chinese Players | Tsars | Daily Rewards |
Accepted Payment Methods
As we mentioned previously, the vast majority of payment methods available at online casino China sites are those you’d typically find on global-leaning platforms, for example credit/debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfer. However, if you don’t have a reliable VPN connection, upon visiting the cashier section, some may be unavailable to you.
In general, fewer China online gambling establishments accept popular payment methods from the country, like Union Pay. Instead, you will likely find international alternatives, such as Visa/Mastercard debit cards or e-wallets.
Cryptocurrencies are also very popular and widely appreciated in the country. Frequent additions to the online casino China list of payment methods include BTC, ETH, LTC, and USDT.
Online Casino China – Top 5 Popular Payment Methods
- Union Pay
- WeChat Pay
- AliPay
- Cryptocurrency
- E-wallets
Are There Any Casino Mobile Apps Available in China?
Given that most online casino mobile apps are hosted on third-party stores, accessing them as a Chinese resident may be a little tricky. China has imposed a ban on all Google Services, meaning that residents are unable to download anything from Google Play. On the other hand, if you use an iOS device, you may be able to bypass this and access App store with a VPN service.
Our advice is to find online casino China platforms that host their mobile apps on proprietary servers, and have download links embedded on the site itself.
One such example is 1xBet’s casino app for Android & iOS. Alternatively, you can simply register on a China online casino that’s mobile-friendly and has a responsive design, such as Bitcasino.io.
What I Can Play From China
- Games hosted by the State Welfare Lottery (e.g. 3D Lottery, Lucky 7, Double Color Ball)
- Games hosted by the State Sports Lottery (e.g. Super Lotto, Seven Star Lottery)
- Regular online casino games on offshore platforms only with the use of a VPN service (slots, table games, craps etc.)
What I Cannot Play From China
- All forms of in-person gambling, aside from the state-approved options listed above
- Slot games without VPN
- RNG games without VPN (table and card games, online lottery, keno, bingo)
- Live casino without VPN (live dealer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker)
- Next-gen crypto games without VPN (plinko, provably fair dice, hi/lo, Aviator)
The Future of Online Gambling in China
Unfortunately, the current situation concerning online casinos in China appears rather bleak, given the increased control of the Chinese government over foreign websites, culminating with a ban of all online poker applications in 2018.
This approach is only set to become stricter, leaving no wiggle room for legitimate offshore operators to establish ground here. In the past, numerous attempts have been made to open legal casinos in Mainland China, which have been unsuccessful.
Conclusion
For the time being, in-person gambling in approved regions seems to be preferred, as there’s a lower risk involved compared to the possibility of your next online casino in China disappearing or getting banned overnight.
Gambling at online casinos in the country may not be as straightforward as other places. However, offshore gambling does still take place, as well as online gambling with the help of VPN. We do suggest visiting the CCP for clear rules to follow.
Best Online Casinos China FAQs
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As long as the casino in question accepts Chinese players and doesn’t have any geo-restrictions on bonus redemption for this particular region, you should be in the clear and have the same promotional access as other visitors.
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Given that the online casino China legal landscape is still quite prohibitive, some offshore platforms don’t support direct RMB deposits and withdrawals, instead listing other global currencies like EUR and USD.
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Some of the most popular payment methods available at Chinese casino online platforms are cryptocurrency and e-wallets. The best, depends on your personal preference.
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Yes, but only if your China online casino is optimised for mobile devices. Luckily, top operators meet this quality standard by default, so you can have the same experience on a smartphone or tablet with Android/iOS.
Iggy Fenech
