Online Casinos in Macau
Considering that Macau has a rich gambling history spanning two centuries and pulls in more revenue than Las Vegas, it should be no surprise that the city now has the single largest gambling economy in the world.
This is, in part, due to the country shunning its monopolistic system of more than a hundred years and embracing offshore casino operators. Today, we can effectively connect this progressive decision to the country’s economic strength. But the country is not the only entity to benefit from this bold move. Offshore casino operators who have been granted the license to operate online casinos and gambling sites also enjoy a competitive market and liberal gambling laws.
Punters have access to over 40 land-based casinos and can choose to play almost any game at any time, including poker, sports betting, horse racing, lottery, and casino games. But with the introduction of technology, logging into an online casino in Macau has never been easier.
It is important to note that the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau monitors the gambling landscape very closely. And as recently as 2018, they shut down over 300 casino websites that had breached their licensing regulations in one shape or the other. Macau has been listed for the best ranked casinos in the world in our blog.
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Online Gambling in Macau: Facts, Laws, and Help
Since Macau is a bustling gambling scene, you will soon realize that playing at an online casino in Macau is an extremely popular pastime. There are all types of gamblers, from habitual ones trying to win real money to those looking to have fun.
The purpose of this article is to explore online Gambling in Macau and put all the relevant information on the table. What makes Macau one of the world’s gambling hotspots? Why do casino operators flock to this region? What payment options are available to players? We will strive to answer these questions and more.
Laws Regulating Online Gambling in Macau
To answer the question that boggles everyone’s mind, “Is online gambling legal in Macau?” The short answer is, there are no specific laws regarding online gambling.
The Macau Gaming Law, Law 16/2001, does not include legislation that regulates online casinos. So, from a legal standpoint, it is implied that operating an online casino in Macau is prohibited. And while many would think that the absence of specific regulatory gambling laws would make the activity allowable, in the least, it is not. In Macau culture, for a business to be deemed legitimate, it must be permissible by a regulatory body.
Even though the lack of regulation works against casino operators, it works well for the public. It is in no way illegal for a punter to engage in online sports betting, poker, casino games, or races with an offshore online casino operator. You only have to be 21 years or older to participate.
Recent reports suggest that some offshore online casinos are considering leaving the region due to the complexity of Macau online gambling laws. Still, many casino companies remain, catering to the masses and reaping huge economic benefits.
Interesting Facts About Online Gambling in Macau
Considering the complexity of the online Macau gambling laws, there must be other interesting facts to note about the region. Let us explore a few:
- Online casinos cannot legally operate in Macau, but Macau players can still enjoy online casino games with overseas operators.
- Potential interference by the Chinese government is the biggest reason why Macau does not regulate online casinos.
- Some offshore online casinos do not serve players in Macau due to the country’s complex gambling laws.
- Strict data protection laws prevent operators from transporting players’ personal information to third parties within and outside of Macau.
- The Macau Chief Executive is the licensing authority responsible for overseeing all gambling activities in Macau and determining gambling policies.
- Due to the joint treaty between Portugal and China, after the former relinquished control of Macau, the country will have complete control of its gaming laws until 2049.
Getting Help for Problem Gambling in Macau
According to a survey conducted by the University of Macau, gambling addiction rose from 4.3 percent to 6 percent between 2003 to 2007.
To promote responsible gambling, the government embarked on a promotional tour to raise awareness regarding the dangers of gambling addiction and other negative gambling behaviors. The endeavor was successful and saw responsible gambling rising from 23.7% to 58.2% between 2009 to 2012.
The government also rolled out official prevention and treatment centers to help people struggling with problems relating to land-based and patronizing Macau online casinos.
Centers for treating gambling addiction:
- Yat On Centre
- The Resilience Centre
- Gabinete Coordenador dos Serviços Sociais Sheng Kung Hui Macau
- Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship of Macau
Centers for preventing problematic gambling:
- Bosco Youth Service Network
- Macao New Chinese Youth Association
- Macao Catholic Family Advisory Council
- Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau
- Assoicaçào de Juventude Voluntáia de Macau
- Federação das Associações dos Operários de Macau
Everything You Need to Know to Play in Macau
Playing at online casinos in Macau is very easy. To get started, google your preferred casino and read external reviews in addition to the reviews on the website. If you like what the other players have had to say, head to their website and create an account.
We recommend that you take advantage of the free games that most online casinos offer before depositing money into your account. This will help you get a feel of the games and gambling atmosphere.
Online Casino Games Available to Macau Players
Since offshore online casinos operate in Macau, you can find almost every game imaginable. Most operators offer between 600 to 700 high-quality games.
The most highly rated online casino, Jackpot City casino, has approximately 630 games, among which players can access 439 slots. For Baccarat, the most played games include Dragon Tiger, Squeeze, Baccarat control, Baccarat Squeeze, Speed Baccarat, and Super Sicbo. Jackpot City also has 23 Poker games, and the most played include Deuces Wild Power Poker, Bonus Poker Deluxe, Jacks or Better, High-Speed Poker, and Caribbean Stud.
Ruby Fortune Casino, another popular online casino, impresses with 650 games. Their most played Bingo games are BingoBonanza Bingo, Pharaoh Bingo, and Electro Bingo. There are 14 Roulette games, as well, but most punters gravitate toward French Roulette, European Roulette, and Premier Roulette. With over 450 slot games, including Retro Vegas, Rockabilly Wolves, Mega Moolah, Ruby Fortune Casino is the Slot lover’s destination.
Spin Palace Casino also offers a variety of games. Currently, you can find 700 games on their website. Blackjack is a hit among punters, with Blackjack, specifically Atlantic City – Gold Series, Atlantic City – Multi-hand, Bonus Blackjack, Classic Blackjack, Double Exposure – Gold Series taking the lead.
Online Casino Bonuses for Macau Players
Online casino companies use geo-location software to determine website visitors’ location and automatically present the bonuses and other special offers for that region. The offers given to Macau players are as good as the offers given to players in the Americas and Europe.
If you use a VPN to access online casinos, speak to a customer service representative before depositing funds. This is imperative because some sites prohibit the use of VPN and other cloaking software. Other operators may also confiscate your winnings if they discover that you are not physically in the same location as your online presence indicates.
As with casino games, bonuses and special offers differ with each casino operator. Casino Action gives punters rewards and welcome bonuses for the first five deposits. You also stand a chance to earn 25% of your 3rd deposit, up to C$/€/$500.
As a first-time player, 22bet Online Casino will give you a 100% welcome bonus on your first deposit. This amount can go up to $250 and includes 22 Bet Points. As a type of currency unique to the casino, you can use the Bet Points to purchase items in select 22bet Online Casino shops.
To find the bonuses, offers, and promotions, if your preferred casinos, make sure to check the site for information before depositing funds into your account.
Payment Options Available in Macau Online Casinos
The hallmark of a dynamic online casino is the availability of multiple payment options and currencies. Luckily, online casinos in Macau do not disappoint. On average, an online casino offers players over 10 banking options and supports at least 15 currencies. The withdrawal speed, across the board on average, is typically between one to five business days.
The following are a few payment options to expect when gambling in Macau.
- Credit and debit cards: The most popular issuers are UnionPay, MasterCard, and Visa. If this is your preferred payment method, you are in luck as a significant number of online casino operators accept these credit and debit cards.
- PayPal: This is an e-wallet option that allows you to deposit money directly into your online casino account. Depending on the regulations put in place by the casino operator or PayPal, you can withdraw your winnings to your PayPal account.
- Skrill: Skrill is another popular payment option that is widely accepted by online casino operators in Macau. Punters can withdraw winnings to Visa, MasterCard, or their bank account.
- Neteller: Many punters turn to Neteller since PayPal has strict restrictions on using PayPal for online gambling. There are no fees to depositing money in your casino account; there are also no withdrawal limits.
Top 3 Online Casinos for Macau Players
In this section, we will explore the leading online Macau gambling sites.
- Cafe Casino was founded in 2016, and even though they are fairly new to the gambling world, the company is dubbed one of the top casino sites in Macau. The online operator offers more than 300 games, including blackjack, slots, table games, roulette, scratch cards, and video poker. The maximum jackpot is $1.2 million, and first-time players stand to receive a 500% welcome bonus.
- Ignition: Also one of the younger casinos in the online gambling space, Ignition has carved a name for itself as one of the leading casino operators in Macau. The company is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and offers two welcome bonuses—one is a 100% deposit match up to the value of $1,000, as well as weekly deposit matches. You will find 200+ slot games, video poker, table games, and a variety of online casino games.
- Eclipse: The perks include a 300% welcome bonus, fee-free deposit and withdrawal options, multiple bonus offers and rewards, and getting up to $15000 in casino bonus. The company is the newest of the two, having only emerged in 2017. Nevertheless, it is a prominent market leader in Macau, giving punters a maximum bonus match maximum bonus of $3,000. Eclipse offers over 180 casino games, including 7 video poker, 140 slots, and 12 table games.
A few frequently asked questions about online gambling in Macau are as follows.
Macau Casino FAQ
- 📌 Are Online Casinos in Macau Safe to Play?
- Yes, the offshore casinos in Macau are safe to play. But for your peace of mind, we recommend researching the casino operator to verify their legitimacy before adding funds to your account. You can find all the relevant answers on Google, including its licensing authority, gambling jurisdiction, and reviews.
- 📌 Who Regulates Online Gambling in Macau?
- The Macau Gaming Laws is the regulatory body that oversees all gambling activities within the region. In article 4, Law number 16/2001 makes it clear that the legislation that governs land-based casinos is unique to them. Since there is no mention of online casinos, it is strictly prohibited. So, can you gamble online in Macau? Yes, players can access offshore casinos and play their favorite games legally.
- 📌 What is the Gambling Age in Macau?
- To participate in any form of online casino, you have to be 21 years or older.
- 📌 Do I Need to Pay Taxes on Winnings?
- Whether you play in a land-based casino or online, you keep 100% of your winnings. This is perhaps, one of the reasons Macau is a gambling hotspot since other gambling jurisdictions are marked by high taxes.
- 📌 Can I Play in Macau Online Casinos When in Surrounding Countries?
- The Chinese government has a strict ban on all forms of gambling activities. So, except Hong-Kong, you cannot access any online and land-based casino when outside Macau.
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