Online bingo is completely illegal in mainland China under comprehensive gambling prohibitions that have been enforced since the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. All forms of commercial gambling, including online bingo and any internet-based gaming activities, are strictly prohibited under Chinese law. The only exceptions permitted are two state-run lotteries: the Welfare Lottery established in 1987 and the Sports Lottery launched in 1994, both operated exclusively by government agencies without private participation.
The Chinese government enforces strict penalties against those engaged in online gambling activities, with criminal sanctions including imprisonment for up to five to seven years for participants and organizers. In 2018, the Ministry of Finance reinforced these prohibitions by banning all online poker applications from app stores and social media platforms, demonstrating the government's commitment to eliminating online gaming. The government has also dismantled thousands of illegal online gambling platforms, investigating tens of thousands of cross-border gambling cases and arresting numerous suspects involved in illegal operations.
"Online gambling is prohibited in China with the exception of the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery. Whoever, for the purpose of reaping profits, sets up gambling websites on the internet or acts as an online gambling agent will be regarded as opening gambling houses."
Residents attempting to access online bingo through foreign platforms face legal consequences as participation itself violates Chinese law, regardless of where the operator is located. The Chinese government actively blocks access to overseas gambling websites and uses technology measures to prevent citizens from accessing international gambling platforms. Despite these strict regulations, illegal underground gambling operations and offshore platforms continue to operate, with enforcement remaining challenging as players attempt to circumvent government restrictions through virtual private networks and other digital methods.
Source:
https://lcb.org/restrictions/china
https://legalpilot.com/country/china/
Last updated: 31-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
