Gambling laws in China are strict and heavily regulated. In mainland China, almost all forms of gambling are illegal. The Chinese Criminal Law strictly prohibits the operation of casinos and private gambling businesses. The only legal exceptions are the state-run Welfare Lottery and Sports Lottery. Despite this, there is one major exception that allows full-scale casino gambling: Macau, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China.
This article provides an extensive and detailed listing of casinos in China, focused primarily on Macau since it is the only place in China where casinos are legally allowed to operate. The list is organized by localities within Macau and includes the major casinos in each area. The article also briefly explains the legal landscape of gambling in mainland China.
Gambling in Mainland China: Legal Overview
In mainland China, gambling is considered a criminal offense. The following activities are illegal:
- Operating or visiting casinos
- Organizing private betting events
- Participating in online gambling
- Promoting gambling platforms
There are only two types of gambling activities allowed:
- The Welfare Lottery – Used for social welfare purposes
- The Sports Lottery – Mainly for betting on sporting events
Both are regulated by government authorities. These are available across all provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan, and others. But no province or city in mainland China legally hosts any casinos.
Some regions bordering foreign countries (like parts of Yunnan or Heilongjiang) have had reported incidents of underground gambling or cross-border gambling activities, but these are illegal and have been targets of law enforcement operations.
Macau: The Gambling Capital of China
Macau is the only territory in China where casino gambling is legal. It operates under the “one country, two systems” principle, which gives it its own legal and economic system. Gambling has been legal in Macau since the 1850s during Portuguese rule. After its return to China in 1999, Macau retained this legal framework.
Macau is divided into several areas:
- Macau Peninsula
- Taipa
- Cotai (a reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane)
- Coloane
Each area has multiple casinos. Below is a locality-based list of casinos.
1. Macau Peninsula
This is the oldest part of Macau and home to many historic and long-established casinos.
Major Casinos in Macau Peninsula:
- Casino Lisboa – One of the oldest and most iconic casinos, operated by SJM Holdings.
- Grand Lisboa Casino – Located next to the original Lisboa, known for its striking architecture.
- Hotel Fortuna Casino – A medium-sized casino, popular with local gamblers.
- L’Arc Casino – Known for its luxurious interior and a mix of Western and Chinese games.
- Casino Kam Pek Paradise – Focuses heavily on electronic table games.
- Rio Casino – Part of the Rio Hotel and caters to both casual and VIP players.
- Wynn Macau – A high-end casino resort with table games, slots, and VIP rooms.
- StarWorld Casino – Operated by Galaxy Entertainment, focused on mid- to high-level clientele.
2. Taipa
This is a newer urban area, once a quiet village, now home to modern integrated resorts.
Major Casinos in Taipa:
- Altira Macau – A luxury casino focused on VIP players, formerly known as Crown Macau.
- Grandview Casino – Located near the racecourse, caters to both local and foreign tourists.
- Taipa Square Casino – Operated by SJM, offering a compact but well-rounded experience.
3. Cotai Strip
This is the center of Macau’s modern gambling industry, modeled after the Las Vegas Strip. Cotai is known for huge integrated resorts with casinos, hotels, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.
Major Casinos in Cotai:
- The Venetian Macao – The largest casino in the world in terms of floor space; owned by Las Vegas Sands.
- The Parisian Macao – Known for its Eiffel Tower replica; includes over 400 table games.
- Galaxy Macau – A massive integrated resort with multiple hotels and one of the biggest casinos in Asia.
- Studio City Macau – Offers entertainment alongside gambling, including a Batman-themed ride.
- City of Dreams – Hosts several casinos and hotels, including Morpheus and Hard Rock.
- Wynn Palace – Luxury resort known for its art, high-end retail, and lake gondola rides.
- MGM Cotai – Sister property to MGM Macau, offering a digital and tech-enhanced gambling experience.
- Sands Cotai Central (now called The Londoner Macao) – Renovated to resemble London’s landmarks.
4. Coloane
Coloane is more of a residential and recreational area. It has very few, if any, operational casinos, and is mostly known for its nature parks and beaches. Most gambling tourists do not visit Coloane for casino purposes.
Total Number of Licensed Casinos in Macau
As of 2025, Macau has around 40 to 42 licensed casinos. The exact number can change due to new openings, mergers, or license expirations. These casinos are operated by a limited number of licensed concessionaires:
- SJM Holdings
- Galaxy Entertainment Group
- Melco Resorts & Entertainment
- Wynn Macau Ltd.
- MGM China Holdings
- Sands China Ltd.
Each operator is responsible for multiple properties and casino floors.
Online Casinos in China
Online gambling is completely illegal in both mainland China and Macau. Despite this, many offshore online casinos target Chinese citizens. The Chinese government has been cracking down on these operations by banning foreign payment processors, blocking websites, and arresting citizens involved in illegal gambling.
In contrast, online casino-style games (without real money, often used for entertainment or rewards-based gaming) are allowed in Macau and accessible in some regulated forms. However, they do not pay out real cash winnings.
Conclusion
To summarize:
- Mainland China: Casino gambling is strictly illegal. No states or provinces allow casinos. Legal gambling is limited to two government-run lotteries.
- Macau SAR: The only region in China where casino gambling is legal. It has over 40 casinos spread across the Macau Peninsula, Taipa, and Cotai. Each area hosts major resorts and entertainment centers.
- Coloane: Part of Macau but has no major casino operations.
- Online Casinos: Illegal in both mainland China and Macau.
Macau remains one of the top global destinations for gambling, not only within China but across all of Asia. While mainland China continues to resist the legalization of gambling, Macau has become a highly regulated and profitable center for legal casino entertainment.