China could create its own legal gambling zone for the first time – on an island almost as big as Switzerland. According to a leaked government report, Beijing is considering testing a legal gambling model in a special administrative zone, similar to Macau, but with new rules and an international focus.
The plans could mean a paradigm shift: Until now, gambling was strictly prohibited in mainland China. The creation of a regulated zone could bring billions in tax revenue into the country and combat illegal betting structures.
International observers see this as a clever, but also risky move. On the one hand, China could gain a stronger foothold in the global iGaming market – on the other hand, there is a risk of social tensions if the experiment fails or gets out of control.
For the industry, one thing is clear: when China officially enters the game, the global map of gaming will change.