Best Chinese Bookmakers

The Sports Lottery’s three main games include Football, Lottery, Six Selection, Half time/Full time, and 4-selection correct score. Not even close to what online bookies have on display. Online gambling in China is also illegal, despite the absence of a particular reference in the Criminal Law.

Sti...

The Sports Lottery’s three main games include Football, Lottery, Six Selection, Half time/Full time, and 4-selection correct score. Not even close to what online bookies have on display. Online gambling in China is also illegal, despite the absence of a particular reference in the Criminal Law.

Still, bookmakers licensed in other jurisdictions are not treated the way illegal Chinese sports betting sites are. So, any international site has to get past the Great Firewall; if it succeeds and you can sign up with it, you probably will not face any problems. Always use VPN software, though, and always keep your betting private. Although there have only been just a few reports of prosecuting players for online betting; it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lastly, the odds are much better at online bookies. There is absolutely no comparison to the Sports Lottery’s ones. Picking an appropriate payment platform for funding your account is also important before you start. Avoiding debit cards and straight-out bank wires is the best thing to do. E-wallets are always a good choice.

As a title, we would simply say that gambling is illegal; with one exception. The Sports Lottery, in place since 1994, is the only way for locals to bet legally. Its betting shops are everywhere, and it also offers online pool betting on specific sports and events.

However, nobody argues that it is very limited and miles away from what’s on offer at international bookies. There is no specific law framework, just the Criminal Law, introduced in 1949 when the People’s Republic was formed; still being very cautious against the ‘three vices that destroy society’: drugs, prostitution and gambling.

The Lottery Issuance Agency issues permissions to local vendors to sell its tickets, after approval by the General Administration of Sport and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. And that’s all basically, there is -naturally- no licensing system for China betting sites in place.

However, one may find no reference to playing with international bookies that hold overseas jurisdictions’ licenses, whereas players are not under scrutiny themselves. The main target remains online gambling sites in China. For that reason, there is still in place one of the most elaborate firewall systems in the world.

The notorious 'Great Firewall' blocks access to global powerhouses like Facebook and Twitter, let alone gambling sites. Still though, numerous operators find their way around it and manage to offer their services to local bettors whatsoever.

Historically seen, before 1949 China was probably the epicenter of the world’s gambling. Nowadays, Hong Kong and -mainly- Macau, the East world’s Las Vegas, attract millions of Chinese and foreign players.

Authorities have already targeted such moves and tried to restrict them, yet the local passion for gambling is unmatched; deriving from their cultural and historical backgrounds. Lastly, regarding the ever ongoing ‘is gambling good on Chinese New Year?’ question; it’s true that almost every single household will traditionally have at least a few rounds of Mahjong.

However, always keep in mind that it is only legal if no money is involved and in all privacy whatsoever. Yes, locals tend to enjoy games of chance; yet make no mistake, none of it is typically legal. The anti-gambling stance is as tough as ever.