Online gambling in China?

[admiralfluff]

I posted this in the zoo, but got no responses, so hopefully someone here knows.

I'm going to Shanghai for 2 months. Does the Chinese government currently block online gambling sites (I'm mostly on FTP right now), and if so, can I easily set up a proxy in the US and expect to not get caught?

Greatly appreciate any help.

[viper930]

I was just in Shanghai a few weeks ago and logged onto FTP a few times. The chinese government usually filters out gaming sites, but somehow FTP got through. However, I was told that since they track what's going in and out pretty carefully, it wouldnt be worth the risk. In other words, if you do get caught and they do feel like making a big deal out of it, they could go as far as to arrest you and hold you for a while.

[sumdumguy]

Bad news, at the moment you can be thrown in jail, Taipei Times (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/01/22/2003220458).

Good news, the Chinese market is about to be blown wide open, Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070120.RTICKER20-6/TPStory/?query=Software)

[wolson]

I have been to China several times. Online poker is illegal in China. However, waiguoren (foreigners) still can play it online from any of the major hotels in China if you can get a good connection.

You take your risks: they could arrest you. Will they? it depends on who you are and whether they want you there or would prefer that you never return.

[wingerli]

Hi,admiralfluff and all
I am a Chinese, I play Holdem poker online. I think playing online in China is safe, althrough gambling is illegal.
Some sites was blocked, such as 888.com,pacific poker. FTP, PS Hollywoodpoker can be connected. Partypoker do not allow Chinese to play, so althrough you can connect but you can not play using a China IP address.
Hope you have a good time in Shanghai.

[admiralfluff]

Thanks for all of the responses guys. I am pleasantly surprised to hear you can connect to FTP from China, and expect that the apartment I am staying in will have a good internet connection.

I will probably take my chances and play directly from China, 'cause that's how I roll.

[JooWish622]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all of the responses guys. I am pleasantly surprised to hear you can connect to FTP from China, and expect that the apartment I am staying in will have a good internet connection.

I will probably take my chances and play directly from China, 'cause that's how I roll.

[/ QUOTE ]

two things
one: are you doing CIEE in shanghai?
two: you can def play FTP.

iwas there a few months ago, but unfortunatley the wireless blew balls in my apartment+ i didnt feel like playing poker in shanghai. awesome city

[shapinator]

Anyone know if you can use Remote Desktop in China to access a machine in the US? If so, then one could remote in to a machine at home, and then access poker sites from the US machine.

[admiralfluff]

[ QUOTE ]
one: are you doing CIEE in shanghai?


[/ QUOTE ]

No, most of the year I am an electrical design engineer. I am going to Shanghai for a project.

[pokahjokah]

I have family in Taiwan, is it illeagal to play online poker there as well?

[olivert]

[ QUOTE ]
I have family in Taiwan, is it illeagal to play online poker there as well?

[/ QUOTE ]

Technically, yes.

The Ministry of Finance in Taiwan has exclusive oversight over all forms of legalized gambling in Taiwan. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance has a new (very lucrative) lottery licensing contract with ChinaTrust Bank which the Ministry of Finance has to protect.

The only difference between China and Taiwan: Taiwan does NOT have a "great firewall" the way China does to censor Internet content.

The reason why China has NOT blocked FullTilt, PokerStars, etc. is because those companies have not done ANY marketing in China, not even "ambush marketing".

888.com is being blocked in China because 888.com does extensive "ambush marketing" via English Premier League soccer (Middlesbrough FC) and British snooker (Ding Junhui) telecasts.

[Richas]

[ QUOTE ]
The reason why China has NOT blocked FullTilt, PokerStars, etc. is because those companies have not done ANY marketing in China, not even "ambush marketing".

888.com is being blocked in China because 888.com does extensive "ambush marketing" via English Premier League soccer (Middlesbrough FC) and British snooker (Ding Junhui) telecasts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry to be a pedant but these are proper sponsorship deals not ambush marketing. Ambush marketing is not being a sponsor of an event/player/team but associating your product with it without paying for the privilege (normally done to wind up a competitor who did pay for the right!)

Again sorry.

[admiralfluff]

I'm in Shanghai and can connect to FTP. I'll let you guys know if I get thrown into the pokey.

thanks for the help.

[Soulman]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm in Shanghai and can connect to FTP. I'll let you guys know if I get thrown into the pokey.

thanks for the help.

[/ QUOTE ]
balla.

[imitation]

I have lived in China for 2yrs now so I know most of what you need to know. As for playing online poker at the moment in China I wouldn't even bother trying the overseas internet is terrible because of major disrubtions to the connection out of Taiwan due to an earthquake which disrupted 90% of the connection to USA. This is still mostly unfixed and will probably be atleast 1 more week till it is possible to play. Though I haven't been able to get decent connections to most sites for 6mths now.

Party has also blocked Chinese players.

[imitation]

Also I have played all that time before with no problems. I also regularly flaunt the firewall to access porn with no problems.

[csquard]

No problems the two weeks I was in Shanghai in hotels, although getting to blogs or 2+2 was a problem.

[KaBoom]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi,admiralfluff and all
I am a Chinese, I play Holdem poker online. I think playing online in China is safe, althrough gambling is illegal.
Some sites was blocked, such as 888.com,pacific poker. FTP, PS Hollywoodpoker can be connected. Partypoker do not allow Chinese to play, so althrough you can connect but you can not play using a China IP address.
Hope you have a good time in Shanghai.

[/ QUOTE ]

I played Party poker from Shanghai last February from a hotel. Worked well, so did Stars. I used the hotel rooms computer cause my own wouldn't connect.

[imitation]

I have today again tryed stars and full tilt. The loss makes them both unplayable.

Kaboom party blocked Chinese IPs about 4mths ago.