Regional Law & Compliance Tiers for Poker (CN/HK/MO/TW)
An overview risk statement on the legal status and age requirements for Texas Hold'em in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Educational information only; not legal advice — local current law prevails.
| Region | Legal age | Key statute | Legal status & risk statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | — (gambling prohibited) | 《刑法》第303条；刑法修正案(十一) | Gambling is governed by Article 303 of the Criminal Law. Online Texas Hold'em with chip-to-cash exchange and operator rake is, in judicial practice, generally treated as the crime of running a casino (the 2021 Amendment XI raised the maximum penalty to five years). Related apps were removed from 2018. This site is purely educational with zero gambling referral. |
| Hong Kong | 18+ | 《赌博条例》（第148章） | Under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), only gambling by authorised operators (e.g. the Hong Kong Jockey Club) is lawful; other public gambling, including unlicensed cash poker, is illegal. Legal age is 18. This site is informational only. |
| Macau | 21+ (casino) | 第10/2012号法律；第20/2024号法律；DICJ | Gambling inside licensed Macau casinos is legal, regulated by the DICJ; the minimum age to enter and gamble in casinos is 21 (Law 10/2012, since 2013). Law 20/2024 strengthened penalties for illegal (including online) gambling. Casino-related pages carry a 21+ notice. |
| Taiwan | 18+ | 《中華民國刑法》第266条、第268条 | Gambling is governed by Articles 266 (with an online-gambling clause added in 2022) and 268 of the Criminal Code. One court has treated competitive Texas Hold'em as a skill-based game and acquitted, but this is a non-binding individual case and prosecutors continue enforcement. Legal age is 18. |
Disclaimer: This page is overview risk information, not legal advice or a recommendation of any conduct. Laws change; consult a local legal professional and rely on official current regulations. This site is educational, 18+ site-wide and 21+ for Macau casino content; zero gambling referral, zero affiliate, and UGC such as cash betting, private-game recruitment or settlement is prohibited.