This crackdown has even extended to social poker apps that use only play chips, which have been prohibited since June 2018. The Chinese government has been attempting to disrupt all internet-based sports betting, casino, and poker businesses. The online sphere used to be largely ignored, but this has been changing over the past few years. In fact, there are only two parts of the country where any forms of brick-and-mortar gambling are permitted: Macau and Hong Kong. The authorities in Beijing have never been shy about expressing their disapproval for gambling. According to the statement provided to us, “they decided to exit the market out of respect for local restrictions, and in order to keep their players safe.” This is very vague language, but reading between the lines, we think that it reflects the changing environment for online wagering in two of the largest markets on the list of countries served by Bodog88 and Bodog India.
