Online poker is illegal in China under the country's comprehensive gambling prohibition laws. In June 2018, the Chinese Government banned all online poker applications , requiring app stores to remove all poker-related applications and forbidding the promotion of poker through social media channels such as WeChat and Weibo (1). Any unauthorized online gambling software, including poker or casino games, is banned and subject to immediate takedown and criminal prosecution.
Article 303 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China explicitly prohibits gambling for profit and the operation of gambling activities . The Ministry of Public Security serves as the primary law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing these gambling prohibitions, overseeing more than 1.9 million law enforcement officers throughout the country (2). The authorities have ordered stricter enforcement against all forms of gambling, making China one of the most restrictive jurisdictions globally regarding poker and other gambling activities.
"Both online and land-based gambling is illegal for all citizens, as is the act of opening a casino overseas with the intention of attracting mostly Chinese citizens."
Despite the complete ban, some Chinese citizens continue to access international online poker platforms through various means, though this carries substantial legal risks. The government has demonstrated its commitment to enforcing gambling laws through active prosecution and has the technical capability to block unauthorized gambling sites. The only legal forms of gambling in mainland China are state-operated lotteries, making poker completely prohibited whether played online or in physical locations, with violators subject to criminal penalties under Chinese law.
Source:
https://legalpilot.com/country/china/
https://www.mps.gov.cn/n2255079/n6865805/n7355748/n7355818/c8040661/content.html
Last updated: 27-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
