China to start regulating online casinos

This may open the door to a whole new untapped market for many of the operators who were frozen out of the US market over a year ago. One such company that has begun making preparations is Bodog. It has recently begun an aggressive marketing campaign to attract Chinese gamblers. The Chinese-language advertising campaign will run in print and online media across the mainland.

This is a surprising move considering China is not yet open to online gambling. Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment has also joined Bodog in jostling for readiness in their preparations.

Deputy Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Francis Lui, speaking at the Asian Interactive Gaming conference in Macau said: "Most forms of gaming continue to remain outlawed in the Mainland, including online betting, although the Chinese propensity for gaming could eventually see a change in position from the government."

Lui admitted that there is a demand, even if latent, for online gambling in China and expected the market to open at first to only a few operators, most likely Chinese. The race for who will be on the shortlist is already on its way.