Of the 167 casinos in our database that accept players from China, the most common licences are Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (53), Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (gaming licences) (43), Malta Gaming Authority (38). The payment methods they name most often are Visa (111), Mastercard (106), Skrill (100), Bank Transfer (SEPA / SWIFT) (88), Neteller (88). Live dealer games: 152 casinos. Crypto payments: 104 casinos. Their average score in our ratings is 6.9 out of 10.

Legal situation in China

Gambling is illegal in mainland China, with the single exception of the two state lotteries, the China Welfare Lottery and the China Sports Lottery. Article 303 of the Criminal Law punishes anyone who, for profit, gathers people to gamble or makes gambling their profession, with up to three years' imprisonment, criminal detention or public surveillance, plus a fine. Opening a casino carries up to five years, rising to five to ten years in serious cases, also with a fine. Less serious gambling is handled under the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, which provides for detention and fines.

Criminal Law Amendment XI, in force since 1 March 2021, added a new offence: organising PRC citizens to gamble abroad when the sums are large or the circumstances serious. According to joint guidance from the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, this covers foreign land-based casinos and cross-border online gambling alike. There is no licence of any kind for online casinos, poker or sports betting, and foreign sites that take Chinese players are illegal.

Online casino play is illegal in mainland China, and no operator, domestic or foreign, can be licensed to offer it.

No online casino is legal in mainland China, and lending your bank, WeChat or Alipay account to move gambling funds can itself lead to prosecution. The only legal gambling products are the state Welfare and Sports Lotteries, sold through authorised channels.

Full legal overview for China