Thanks for answering my questions.Was planning a holiday and wanting to look at Macau but 2 children are 19 years of age, will have to give Macau a miss. Should have organised a holiday earlier as now they have to wait until they are 21 for Las Vegas and Macau!! Edited: 7 years ago. The gambling age is set at 21 for a reason that most likely has to do with how the law interprets an individual's legal status in society. Until a person is an adult, which is usually 21, they are the responsibility of their parents.
Are you thinking about going on a vacation and visiting a casino while you're there? Do you know how old you must be to enter a casino? Or to gamble there?
Huuuge casino. Well, you're in luck because we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the legal age to gamble all over the world! There are different minimum ages and regulations for most countries. Remember, it's essential to stay legal when traveling.
The United States
One of the biggest attractions of the United States is its world-famous casinos. People travel from far and wide to visit Las Vegas and its infamous casino strip.
There is no national age minimum to gamble in the United States. Instead, each state controls what the legal age to gamble is. The ages range from 18 to 21, but in most states they stick with 21 because they also sell alcohol in the casinos.
Even where the legal minimum is 21, they sometimes allow 18 -year-olds to buy scratch cards, lottery tickets, and bingo. Again, this varies from state to state, so check out the places you will be visiting.
Canada
The legal age to gamble in Canada is between 18 to 19 (source: https://online.casino/canada/), depending on the Province you visit. In British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, the minimum age is 19. In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the age is 18.
Both online and real casinos are legal in Canada; however, there are a lot of illegal online casinos to be wary about. Make sure the casinos you are playing at are licensed, to avoid legal troubles down the road.
China
In China, all forms of gambling are illegal, no matter what age you are. This includes online gaming, as well.
There are some exceptions, though. In Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, some forms of gambling are allowed. They have two national lotteries available, but only to play in person, not online.
There is the Welfare Lottery, which is regulated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Also, there is the Sports Lottery. The General Administration of Sports governs this lottery.
Even though it is illegal, the people of China are protesting to make gambling legal. We recommend that if you are visiting China, to stay away from any gambling because it is likely illegal, which can cause serious troubles for you if you are arrested as a foreigner.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the minimum legal age to gamble depends on what type of gambling it is. For most gambling activities, like real casinos, online casinos, sports betting, and bingo, the legal age is 18.
However, it is possible to participate in some gambling at the age of 16 legally. You can purchase lottery tickets and bet on football pools, and other low stakes gambling.
We encourage you to take part in gambling in the United Kingdom if you are 18 or older because it is entirely legal. If you are between 16 to 18, we would recommend making sure that your gambling activities are permitted for your age group.
Netherlands
When in Europe, everyone wants to visit Amsterdam. ‘The Dam' offers a unique traveler experience, including its casinos. The legal age for gambling in the Netherlands is 18 years old.
The Holland Casino Group owns all of the casinos, and the revenue goes to the Dutch Treasury. There is no online gambling in the Netherlands. If you are found participating in online gambling on foreign sites, there is a fine, but no further punishments.
Our recommendation is to only participate in land-based casinos in the Netherlands, and only once you are over the age of 18.
Brazil
In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, so there is no legal minimum age. However, some places do offer illegal gambling, and in those places, the minimum age is 18 years old.
There is not the political power to shut down the casinos, and they are run unlawfully. This creates a high risk for players. We do not recommend you go to casinos while in Brazil because they are not subject to any formal regulations.
Australia
In Australia, the minimum age to gamble in both online and real casinos is 18. This goes for betting actual money and also for free play.
The Australian federal and state governments control gambling outlets offering real money games. We recommend that when you are in Australia, only go to legal and regulated casinos once you're 18 or older.
Japan
Huuuge casino. Well, you're in luck because we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the legal age to gamble all over the world! There are different minimum ages and regulations for most countries. Remember, it's essential to stay legal when traveling.
The United States
One of the biggest attractions of the United States is its world-famous casinos. People travel from far and wide to visit Las Vegas and its infamous casino strip.
There is no national age minimum to gamble in the United States. Instead, each state controls what the legal age to gamble is. The ages range from 18 to 21, but in most states they stick with 21 because they also sell alcohol in the casinos.
Even where the legal minimum is 21, they sometimes allow 18 -year-olds to buy scratch cards, lottery tickets, and bingo. Again, this varies from state to state, so check out the places you will be visiting.
Canada
The legal age to gamble in Canada is between 18 to 19 (source: https://online.casino/canada/), depending on the Province you visit. In British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, the minimum age is 19. In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the age is 18.
Both online and real casinos are legal in Canada; however, there are a lot of illegal online casinos to be wary about. Make sure the casinos you are playing at are licensed, to avoid legal troubles down the road.
China
In China, all forms of gambling are illegal, no matter what age you are. This includes online gaming, as well.
There are some exceptions, though. In Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, some forms of gambling are allowed. They have two national lotteries available, but only to play in person, not online.
There is the Welfare Lottery, which is regulated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Also, there is the Sports Lottery. The General Administration of Sports governs this lottery.
Even though it is illegal, the people of China are protesting to make gambling legal. We recommend that if you are visiting China, to stay away from any gambling because it is likely illegal, which can cause serious troubles for you if you are arrested as a foreigner.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the minimum legal age to gamble depends on what type of gambling it is. For most gambling activities, like real casinos, online casinos, sports betting, and bingo, the legal age is 18.
However, it is possible to participate in some gambling at the age of 16 legally. You can purchase lottery tickets and bet on football pools, and other low stakes gambling.
We encourage you to take part in gambling in the United Kingdom if you are 18 or older because it is entirely legal. If you are between 16 to 18, we would recommend making sure that your gambling activities are permitted for your age group.
Netherlands
When in Europe, everyone wants to visit Amsterdam. ‘The Dam' offers a unique traveler experience, including its casinos. The legal age for gambling in the Netherlands is 18 years old.
The Holland Casino Group owns all of the casinos, and the revenue goes to the Dutch Treasury. There is no online gambling in the Netherlands. If you are found participating in online gambling on foreign sites, there is a fine, but no further punishments.
Our recommendation is to only participate in land-based casinos in the Netherlands, and only once you are over the age of 18.
Brazil
In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, so there is no legal minimum age. However, some places do offer illegal gambling, and in those places, the minimum age is 18 years old.
There is not the political power to shut down the casinos, and they are run unlawfully. This creates a high risk for players. We do not recommend you go to casinos while in Brazil because they are not subject to any formal regulations.
Australia
In Australia, the minimum age to gamble in both online and real casinos is 18. This goes for betting actual money and also for free play.
The Australian federal and state governments control gambling outlets offering real money games. We recommend that when you are in Australia, only go to legal and regulated casinos once you're 18 or older.
Japan
Gambling in Japan is illegal in many cases. The country does permit betting on sports and horse racing. Placing money on these events in Japan is only for people who are 20 or older.
They do allow some gambling games, specifically pachinko. For this game, you only have to be 18 to play with real money. These places are heavily controlled and regulated with spending limits.
The Bottom Line
Around the world, there are different regulations based on the country you are in. Always make sure what you are doing in other countries is legal according to their local laws.
Gambling is a fun activity, especially when you are on vacation. In most countries, the minimum age to gamble is 18, but not everywhere. Make sure you follow the rules and always enjoy safe gambling.
Gambling in China is illegal under Chinese law[1] and has been officially outlawed since the Communist Party took power in 1949.[2] Any form of gambling by Chinese citizens, including online-gambling, gambling overseas, opening casinos overseas to attract citizens of China as primary customers, is considered illegal.[3] In practice however, Chinese citizens participate in state-run lotteries, regularly travel to legal gambling centers overseas or in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau and access gaming through offshore based proxy betting and online gambling companies.
Macau Casino News Today
Mainland China[edit]
The Chinese government operates two lotteries: the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery set up in 1987 and 1994 respectively. The Chinese government does not legally consider the lotteries a form of gambling.[4] Illegal gambling in China remains common, including unofficial lotteries, clandestine casinos, and betting in games such as mahjong and various card games. In 2010, The Daily Telegraph (UK) reported that an estimated one trillion yuan are wagered in illegal gambling every year in China. Problem gambling exists in the country, and may be more prevalent than in countries with legalized gambling.[1]Online gambling is another outlet for illegal gambling in the country.[4]
Various attempts have been made to establish legal casinos in mainland China, although these have been unsuccessful.
In June 2018, the Chinese Government banned all online poker applications. App stores had to remove all poker related applications, and the promotion of poker in general via all social media channels in China (Wechat, Weibo) became forbidden.[5]
Hong Kong[edit]
While some aspects of mainland Chinese law apply in Hong Kong, certain forms of gambling are legal and regulated in Hong Kong. The Law of Hong Kong is based on English common law, having been a British territory until 1997. Gambling in Hong Kong has been regulated since 1977.[6] The Hong Kong Jockey Club organizes much of the legal betting in the region.
Macau[edit]
Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s, when it was a Portuguese colony. The region has a history of gambling on traditional Chinese games. Gambling in Macau now primarily takes place in Western-style casinos; in 2007, Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gaming revenues. As of 2016,[7] 38 casinos operate in Macau, and the region's annual gambling revenues exceed US$27.9 billion.[8]
Offshore gambling[edit]
Legal restrictions on onshore gambling in Mainland China have contributed to the growth of overseas and online gambling sites that cater to Chinese nationals. Integrated gaming resorts in Singapore, Australia, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines welcome growing numbers of Chinese tourists.
Proxy betting[edit]
As in person visits to offshore gambling venues can be both time consuming and attract the attention of law enforcement, proxy betting has grown in popularity, especially for VIP clients wishing to discretely place high stakes bets. In proxy betting, clients communicate with staffers wearing headsets at baccarat tables in offshore casinos. Proxy betting was outlawed in Macau in 2016 and has never been permitted in Australia or Singapore casinos, but now accounts for 40 percent of the $1 billion VIP gaming market in the Philippines, according to brokerage CICC.[9]
Online gambling[edit]
Online gambling in Mainland China remains illegal, however internet traffic routed via VPNs, underground banking networks and payment platforms enable Mainland Chinese customers to access and remit funds to online gaming sites. According to 2019 estimates published in Economic Information Daily, an affiliate of state-owned news agency Xinhua, the annual amount bet through online gambling in the Mainland is more than one trillion yuan (US$145 billion), equivalent to nearly twice the annual income of China's officially sanctioned lotteries.[10]
In the Philippines alone, where Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) can register and legally operate, over a three year period from 2016 at least 100,000 Chinese nationals were estimated to have moved to Manila to work for online gambling operators as marketing agents, tech support specialists and IT engineers to serve Mandarin-speaking clientele.[11] To side step restrictions on direct marketing of online gambling in Mainland Chinese print or social media, many online gaming sites seeking to attract Chinese customers have become shirt sponsors for English Premier League football teams. Dafabet's sponsorship of Fulham FC and W88's sponsorship of Wolverhampton Wanderers are just two examples of this trend.
Large betting sites like Bet365, BetPat & WilliamHill create mirror sites to bypass local controls as seen a list of how it works here SportsTalk.org in the Guardian it was commented at length that Chinese users can face jail.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Macau Casino Legal Age
- ^ abEimer, David (9 January 2010). 'China's secret gambling problem'. Daily Telegraph. Shenyang. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^'Rien ne va plus'. The Economist. 432 (9158): 25. 31 August 2019.
- ^'Remarks by Chinese Embassy Spokesperson on Issues of Chinese Citizens concerning Gambling in the Philippines'. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
- ^ abKalenyuk, Mary (7 November 2013). 'The bets are on for gambling in China'. The World of Chinese. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ^'Crackdown on online poker applications in China - Somuchpoker'. somuchpoker.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
- ^Deans, Rob (2001). 'Online Gambling: Changes to Hong Kong's Gambling Legislation'. Gaming Law Review. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.5 (6): 555–560. doi:10.1089/109218801753336166.
- ^2016 Wynn 10-K
- ^'Macau Gaming Summary'. University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ^'China targets PH in offshore gambling crackdown'. Manila Bulletin. Bloomberg. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^Master, Farah (9 July 2019). 'Chinese state media target Macau's Suncity in online gambling report'. Reuters. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^Dancel, Raul (20 July 2019). 'Loan Sharks Feed Off Philippine Casino Boom'. The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
External links[edit]
List Of Casinos In Macau
- China Sports Lottery official website(in Chinese)