While the U.S. has clearly taken the position that Internet gambling is illegal, with but a few exceptions, law enforcement agencies have been rather lax about prosecuting offenders, at least they have been lax compared to the Chinese government.

In China, efforts are underway to expand the crackdown on all forms of gambling in China, be it land-based gambling or gambling over the Internet. Players are targeted just as much as casino operators too. Taking their legal authority from existing law, Article 303, Chinese law enforcement agencies are growing increasingly strict about enforcing the article’s provisions. Under Article 303, anyone who organizes three or more people and receives payments of 5000 yuan (equal to approximately $600, US), or is involved in a game where the stakes are over 50,000 yuan (approximately $6000 US) is guilty of organized gambling and will be penalized. Punishment includes up to three years in prison and severe fines. Organizing a group of 10 or more Chinese citizens for the purpose of gambling is also a violation of Article 303 if the organizer receives a commission. Just as land-based casino owners will be penalized, Internet casino site operators will be penalized as well. Furthermore, anyone who assists an online casino site will be considered an accomplice to the crime and is there for subject to penalties and punishment too. Civil servants that are running any type of gambling establishment and the operators that cater to civil servants or minors should be particularly worried as Chinese officials said that penalties for this group are especially harsh.