It appears the Chinese government has just officially blocked all avenues for foreign operators to bring online casinos to the Chinese people.  This is no surprise of course, but it is a major let down to some operators.  There is a big market for online casinos in China if only the chance had been given, but once again the government has hid behind the excuse of maintaining cultural traditions and protecting its people from unhealthy content.

The ban on foreign participation in the Chinese gaming market goes well beyond not allowing operators of foreign online casinos to provide services.  Foreign operators are not allowed to participate in the Chinese market in any form or fashion. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Chinese General Administration of Press and Publication has placed a ban on foreign investments in the Chinese online gaming industry.  There is also a ban on participation in the market from wholly foreign owned companies, cooperatives, and joint ventures. 

The ban in China is so through that foreign gaming companies are even forbidden to “indirectly influence” gaming companies in China.

“In recent years, some foreign companies tried to get involved in China’s online game operations in various forms, which caused severe disorders in China’s online game industry,” said Kou Xiaowei, vice director of the technological and digital department of the General Administration of Press and Publication.  

With this decision and their shameless censoring of the Internet, it appears that online casinos will not be making any money off of the ripe Chinese market for some time to come.