Top-rated Online gambling sites in China

Chinese online casinos are often powered by the world’s most respected software providers, meaning you can expect hundreds upon hundreds of games of all kinds: Blackjack, Roulette, Pai Gow, Mahjong, Slot Machines, and so forth.

If you are a player looking to play at the top online casinos in China, then you're in luck. Our listings are constantly reviewed by our specialists to ensure you find your top Chinese casino online.

Looking to get started? Read on for more details and have a look at our pre-approved Chinese online casinos that have been thoroughly reviewed by our team of experts.

Top-rated Online gambling sites in China
Emily Thompson
Written byEmily ThompsonWriter
Researched byPriya PatelResearcher
Localised bySamuel KipropLocaliser
Online casinos in China

Online casinos in China

Gambling has been a thing in China since ancient times. Throughout history, Chinese leaders have mostly held a negative view of gambling for moral reasons, and this activity remains largely illegal in the country to this day.

However, exceptions are made for certain types of sports betting. On the other hand, online casinos are forbidden from operating on online soil.

Yet, this does not stop Chinese players from gambling at off-shore licensed online casinos and sportsbooks, as Chinese law cannot prosecute individuals for these activities. As such, many leading European online casinos also accept players from China.

These casinos also accept the RMB as a currency, are available in Mandarin or Cantonese, and boast many other benefits such as large bonuses, reliable customer support and a high factor of trustworthiness through proper licensing.

As a Chinese player, your primary concern may be getting your money in and out of the casino. Fortunately, online casinos offer a myriad of alternative payment options, such as e-wallets and cryptocurrency, which let you perform safe deposits and withdrawals.

Online casinos in China
History of gambling in China

History of gambling in China

Gambling has been an attractive venue for entertainment and profits for as long as man has existed. The very nature of risking something for a greater payoff induces excitement in the human mind.

While it is difficult to pinpoint when and where gambling originated, many historians and experts believe it all began in ancient China. Therefore, China has the largest and most complicated history of gambling in the world.

Gambling in the early days

Experts have found gambling records dating back as far as 2,100 years B.C. Interestingly enough, it is known that the game we know as Keno was played around this time.

What’s more, games with similar traits to Poker and Blackjack were also thought to be played by Chinese upper-class citizens and members of its military.

Throughout history, gambling had a similar view by the government as it does today; it was thought of as an evil obsession that would generate serious problems in society. Therefore, it has been officially banned or frowned up even during ancient times.

Yet, this did not stop the Chinese people, and during the Spring and Autumn periods (771 to 476 BC) in China, gambling became completely mainstream.

Nearly everyone was indulging in wagering on various games, from villagers in the countryside to high-class citizens and military men, the latter of which often faced repercussions for overindulgence.

During the Tang (617 – 908 A.D.) and Northern Song (950 – 1128 A.D.) dynasties, the first forms of gambling venues i.e. casinos began to appear. It is around this time that Xuan He Pai was invented, which is the basis for modern-day Mahjong.

Gambling continued to thrive in the middle ages as well, and many people began to treat it as a form of livelihood, which read to obvious problems.

Recent history of China's casinos

As such, links with underground criminal activities and corruption became inevitable. The years 1930-1950 also introduced many new games to the Chinese market, but not long after the People’s Republic of China was formed (1949) gambling took a major hit as all gambling activities were completely outlawed.

Today, only state-run lotteries are legal in China, and bettors can indulge in placing wagers on horse racing and sports matches.

However, this has not stopped Chinese people from placing wagers a top online casino through VPN proxies. It is estimated that illegal bets valued at over one trillion Chinese yuan ($140,000,000+) are placed on an annual basis through mainland China.

Nowadays, people in this country seem to enjoy mobile casino gaming more than ever. Do not forget to check our the top mobile casino China today.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, which is a partly autonomous region of China, some forms of gambling are legal, as the region is allowed to form most of its own laws. In fact, gambling in Hong Kong has been legal since 1977.

Macau

Macau, known as the Las Vegas of the east, has actually surpassed Vegas in terms of revenue back in 2007, with annual gambling revenues exceeding $28 billlion.

Gambling in Macau has been legal since 1850. Today, the region hosts over 35 land casinos, attracting millions of tourists on a yearly basis, many of which are wealthy citizens from other parts of China.

History of gambling in China
Chinese casino players' favorite game

Chinese casino players' favorite game

Chinese players have enjoyed many forms of gambling over the centuries, and many of the games we know today have originated from the country’s ancient heritage.

Faith is a strong aspect of Chinese culture, which is why Chinese people often prefer pure games of chance with no skill factor involved, as they believe their faith will lead them to luck.

Slot Machines

Slot machines are beloved across the globe, including among the Chinese player base. As online casinos offering their services to China are powered by the best slot providers in the industry, you can expect hundreds of offers on:

  1. Classic Slots
  2. Video Slots
  3. Progressive Slots

Table Games

Table Games are a popular inclusion in every best online casino with the likes of:

Baccarat

Baccarat is essentially a 50/50 game that’s easy to pick up and is highly popular in the country. Pachinko, a game with Japanese origins ever since the middle ages, has also caught the attention of Chinese gamblers, and many of them enjoy it today.

Mahjong

Mahjong, the tile game, has strong roots in China and has spread to other parts of Asia as well, most notably in Japan.

The game is still enjoyed in China today in both legal and illegal forms, including in many online Chinese casinos that prominently feature this game.

Sic Bo

Sic Bo is also a popular game of choice in Chinese culture, as the game is over a thousand years old. Sic Bo boasts many betting options and is more complicated to get into, but it can be enjoyed at many online casinos offering their services to Chinese players.

Keno

Keno, which originated in China, is also popular to this day, as are Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker. Of course, the Chinese love sports betting as well. Soccer and basketball are the most popular sports in the country, and many Chinese residents turn to online sportsbooks for their sports betting needs.

Video Poker

Video Poker is not exactly the most popular game type in China, but Chinese online casinos often feature the likes of Deuces Wild, Jacks, or Better and Aces & Eights, among other common titles in this category.

Chinese casino players' favorite game
Online Casinos Accepting Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Online Casinos Accepting Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Venturing into the captivating realm of online casinos from China, the role of your currency becomes paramount in shaping your iGaming escapades. The Chinese Yuan (CNY), also commonly referred to as the Renminbi (RMB), forms the backbone of your gaming experience. While not all online casinos accept CNY, there's no need to fret – many reputable casinos provide convenient currency conversion solutions. This ensures that you can immerse yourself in a plethora of thrilling games without being hampered by currency limitations. Exploring our meticulously curated toplist from CasinoRank paves the way for immersive gameplay, whether you're dealing with 100 Chinese Yuan or its equivalent value post-conversion. Seize this opportunity to embark on an electrifying iGaming journey, where the excitement of the games and the allure of rewards take center stage, irrespective of whether you see it as ¥100 or simply 100 yuan. Your path to the world of online casinos from China unfolds, where the Chinese Yuan in online casino sites adds its distinctive pulse to the symphony of gaming possibilities.

Online Casinos Accepting Chinese Yuan (CNY)
How we select the best online casino in China

How we select the best online casino in China

The number of online casinos that offer their services to Chinese players is high, and making a choice on where to play can be often difficult even to seasoned veterans.

We are here to make this process easier for you, and as you read below you will l learn more about how we review casinos, and which factors we look at to determine their quality and trustworthiness.

Top online casino security

As gambling is highly popular in China, many of the world’s leading casino and sports betting brands do their utmost to market themselves to the Chinese player base.

Since gambling ads are illegal in China, many of these operators will look to advertise their Chinese-focused online casinos and sportsbooks via sponsorship on famous sports teams, such is the case with kit sponsorships in various high-profile teams of the English Premier League.

What we wrote above may not seem like it has much to do with the security of Chinese online casinos, but it aims to prove a point – gambling companies are very serious when it comes to Chinese gamers, and they would never wrongfully treat any Chinese player.

Of course, more tangible proof of security for Chinese players can be the fact that these online casinos are licensed and regulated by the market’s most respected licensing bodies, such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

Any casino licensed by these regulatory bodies is a certain sign of trustworthiness. Those operators with shady practices have long lost their license to offer gambling services, meaning you have nothing to worry about when gambling at any of our recommended online casinos.

Top online casino languages

Every best online casino that accepts Chinese players is available in traditional and simplified Chinese. In some exceptions, a casino may accept Chinese players, but will not be available in any of China’s languages.

You can still play at this casino just like in any other, but you will need some mastery of the English language, especially when requesting customer support.

Top online casino customer support

Customer support at China's online casinos is generally at an excellent level, with the casino offering players multiple venues of seeking assistance: Live Chat (24/7 – 7 days of the week), Telephone (International Toll-Free numbers) and Email (with 12-24 hour response times).

This means that as a Chinese player you can expect smooth gaming sessions. Whenever you’re in a pickle, simply request an audience via live chat, and you will typically receive a response within a minute or two.

How we select the best online casino in China
Software providers and gaming selection

Software providers and gaming selection

Security, customer support, payment options, are all highly important aspects of each top online casino. Ultimately, however, a casino must have a quality set of games in order to retain players, and it is a big aspect we look at when reviewing each online casino.

Fortunately, Chinese online casinos are often licensed within Europe, which allows them to feature games by prominent software companies such as Net Entertainment and Microgaming, boasting state-of-the-art games of sublime quality, variety in themes, and excellent payout mechanics.

For those who wish to read more about responsible gaming or need help with addiction, please visit these websites below.

Software providers and gaming selection
About the author
Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson

Emily "VegasMuse" Thompson is a seasoned online casino enthusiast from down under. With a keen eye for details and an inherent knack for strategizing, she has turned her passion for the online casino world into a successful writing career.

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FAQ

Everything you need to know about casinos

Do I need to pay taxes on online gambling winnings in China?

Winnings gained on state-run Chinese lotteries that surpass 10,000 RMB are liable for a flat 20% tax rate. Any lesser winnings are not subjected to taxation.

Can I play with Chinese Yuan at online casinos?

Many leading online casinos that accept players from China also offer Chinese Yuan as a currency of choice. However, you can still play at any best online casino by using a different currency. Your Chinese Yuan deposit will simply be converted to your account’s available currency. In this case, you may be liable for currency conversion fees, but they are trivial at worst.

Is it safe to play at Chinese online casinos?

Online gambling is illegal in China, yet millions of Chinese players game at offshore online casinos on a regular basis.
While we cannot say for certain that it is safe for you to play at offshore online casinos, governments usually go after the operators rather than the players when it comes to legal action.

There have been no recorded cases of punishment in the form of monetary fines and imprisonment for online gambling activities, despite the fact that individuals who partake in these activities are technically breaking the law.

Can I play for free at Chinese online casinos?

Absolutely.

All online casinos that accept Chinese players give players the option of “Fun Play”. This way, you can try out almost any game you like for free, with no time limits whatsoever.

Free play is a good way of testing out Chinese casino games before you decide to play with real money. You can also play “for free” by claiming a no deposit bonus, but they are a rarity.

Can I expect bonuses at a China online casino?

Chinese online casinos are overflowing with bonuses of all kinds. No matter where you sign-up, you can expect a deposit bonus or two to boost your bankroll by a significant margin.

Online casinos use bonuses as the primary way of attracting new players, as the online competition is tough. Therefore, besides the welcome bonus, you will also be showered with free spins bonuses, reload bonuses, cash back bonuses and even the occasional no deposit bonus.

Are there any withdrawal fees?

Depending on the payment method you are using, some minor fees may be applied to your withdrawals. As a general rule of thumb, e-wallets are both the fastest and most cost-efficient withdrawal method for Chinese players. They incur little to no fees and support fast and easy transactions.

Withdrawals to cryptocurrency wallets are also subject to negligible fees, therefore they are a viable withdrawal option. The caveat is that they are more complicated to manage and use.

What do I need to do to receive my winnings?

As per industry standard online casino regulations that go towards fair play and security, all players that wish to withdraw real money must verify their identity. This includes Chinese players as well.

This process is simple, and usually completed within 24 hours. Consult your best online casino of choice on how to complete the verification process. Typically, a scan or a photo of your personal ID and/or a utility bill to your name no older than 3 months will suffice.

How long will it take before I receive my winnings?

This will largely depend on the payment method you are using for withdrawing real money.
In general, e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill and Cryptocurrency boast the fastest withdrawal times – 24 to 48 hours, but sometimes within a few hours or instantly.

Withdrawals via credit cards, debit cards and Bank Transfer are subjected to much longer waiting times, which may take up to a full working week.

Which payment methods are available at Chinese online casinos?

Chinese players may face some hurdles at online casinos when it comes to depositing money, as the usual popular choices such as AliPay or WeChat Pay are not always accepted.
However, players can turn to options such as UnionPay, one of the few payment providers that allow transactions between players and online casinos. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to link your bank account to your UnionPay wallet.

Direct Bank Transfers are also an option, but they are also subjected to large fees, both when depositing and withdrawing funds. PayPal, one of the most popular digital wallets in the world, is largely unheard of in China, as the country boasts its own alternatives in the form of AliPay. Yet, you may find some online casinos that will accept your deposits and withdrawals via PayPal.

Does china have casinos?

Yes, China does have casinos, but they are only legal in the Special Administrative Region of Macau. Macau has become one of the world's largest gambling hubs since it ended a four-decade monopoly on gambling, welcoming foreign operators and exploding in casino development from the early 2000s onwards.