Gambling holds a prominent place in Chinese society, woven deeply into the cultural fabric of the nation. Its roots trace back to at least 1000 BC, reflecting a long-standing tradition that has evolved over millennia. Far from being merely a recreational activity, gambling in China is intertwined with social and cultural practices, shaping interactions and community life. From ancient games of chance to modern casino developments, the significance of gambling in China extends beyond mere pastime, embodying a rich heritage that continues to influence and engage people across generations.
Chinese law banned gambling in 1949. However, in practice, residents of China play state-run lotteries and access offshore online casino slot games in the unique administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. As the iGaming industry expands into previously untapped markets in Asia and Africa, popular online casinos are expected to debut in China. Although the country currently has a complicated relationship with forms of gambling, reflecting on its history with games of chance offers insights into the future of online casinos in China.
Spiritual and Philosophical Influences
Gambling’s presence and regulation in Chinese society primarily draws from the philosophical teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Taoists enjoy a liberal view of worldly pleasures like gambling and generally allow it. Buddhists believe gambling is good as long as a gambler avoids the social and financial pitfalls of excessive gambling. Meanwhile, Confucianists, who value social morality and ethical conduct, generally frown upon gambling. This confluence of beliefs creates the rich background against which Chinese gambling exists.
The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070 to 1600 BCE) and Liubo
The first mention of gambling in Chinese history is in the Xia dynasty. Circa 2070 to 1600 BCE, an official of the ruling dynasty called Wu Cao invented a board game called 博 (bó). The game was played with 12 pieces called liubo “六博,” which are said to be the precursors of modern chess.
While no literature exists today on the game’s rules, liubo was so popular that the character 博 soon became synonymous with gambling.
Horse Racing and The Warring States Period (475 to 221 BCE)
After liubo, gambling in Chinese society took on more diverse forms. The Warring States and Spring and Autumn (770 to 476 BCE) periods saw Chinese people begin to bet on animals.
Horse racing was particularly popular in noble society, with the most famous accounts mentioning the King of Qi and Tian Ji. Tian Ji and the King regularly bet on their horses, pitting three of their best steeds against each other. A popular Chinese idiom, “Tian Ji’s horse race (田忌赛马),” refers to how Tian Ji used strategy to outwit the King and win a large sum of money.
Meanwhile, among everyday people, cockfights and dog races were popular.
Official Bans on Chinese Gambling
After several incidents of infighting and cunning, Chinese rulers began to ban gambling systemically. The Canon of Laws passed in the Wei state during the Warring States period imposed a fine on gamblers and threatened the crown prince with flogging and deposition if he was found gambling. In the Qin dynasty (221 – 206 BCE), people found gambling was to be branded on the forehead.
Continued Prominence
Despite these and other bans, gambling remained a popular pastime in Chinese culture, particularly around festivals and community celebrations. 樗蒲 (chūpú) was invented in the final years of the Han dynasty and remained popular up to the Song dynasty (960 – 1279). Today, modern forms of gambling found on betting platforms like Betway, including Mahjong, Pai Gow, Fan Tan, Tien Gow, and the lottery, have their roots in these periods of Chinese culture.
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