Gambling Age In China

Minimum Age: No age specified

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In China, gambling is illegal, with no specified minimum legal age, as per the Criminal Law, reflecting a ban to curb social harms. Lotteries are an exception, with an age limit of 18.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling, including casinos, is illegal under the Criminal Law, except in Macau (covered separately). State-run lotteries are legal, requiring ID checks to enforce the 18-year-old age limit. The lottery market, valued at CNY 500 billion annually, offers no casino game catalogs, contrasting with your interests.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is illegal, with the Criminal Law prohibiting all forms of remote gambling. Authorities block gambling websites, but offshore sites contribute to a $10 billion unregulated market in 2024, with players facing risks without legal protections, aligning with unregulated markets you’ve explored.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Finance oversees lotteries, with no dedicated gambling regulator for other activities. China’s anti-gambling stance prioritizes social control, lacking the licensing rigor you’ve inquired about. The 2024 cybersecurity laws enhance online enforcement, reflecting a restrictive policy.

Enforcement and Penalties: China enforces its gambling ban strictly. Operators face fines up to CNY 500,000 or imprisonment up to seven years, while players face fines up to CNY 10,000 or detention. Over 5,000 illegal websites were blocked by 2025, maintaining a controlled gambling environment with lotteries as the sole legal outlet.