Bet365 Exits Chinese Market Amid Regulatory Challenges

China was the best Bet365 market for years because there was massive demand and minimal supervision. Now? There’s no way to experience Bet365 in the Chinese market. However, there was no scandal, no ban, just a clean break from one of the world’s riskiest grey zones. But behind that decision, there are many things to say.

The Quiet Goodbye to a Not-So-Quiet Market

On March 27th, 2025, Bet365 stopped working in the Chinese market. Still, the Chinese market was the 2nd largest after the UK, so the effects were hard.

The decision didn’t come as expected, meaning much noise. There was no bold press release, just a quiet message to Chinese customers stating the company is shifting its focus to “core markets and regions that provide long-term revenue.”

But behind that diplomatic language is a major pivot and a not-so-subtle message to the rest of the industry: China is no longer worth the risk. But what risk? Continue to find out because you don’t know what’s coming.

Why Now? The Cost of Playing in China

China didn’t become hostile overnight because it has always been risky for gambling. But the regulatory heat has intensified. Lately, Chinese authorities have not only blocked sites but also arrested players involved in gambling across borders, fined players, and cracked down on foreign affiliates.

Even players caught gambling outside China’s borders, including in legal markets like Macau, can face punishment. For a company like Bet365, the pressure to leave was increasing. Regulators were more effective, and enforcement became more visible. And the optics of staying while simultaneously expanding in the US no longer made sense.

Ultimately, the exit wasn’t just about compliance. It was about risk tolerance. They didn’t want to get involved with the Chinese gov because the risk was higher than usual.

From Grey Market Giant to Regulated Champion

So what’s changed? The strategy. Bet365 is shifting its resources away from “dark grey” markets like China and toward fully regulated environments, most notably, the US and Brazil. According to analysts at Regulus Partners, China was Bet365’s last major unregulated outpost. With its exit, more than 90% of Bet365’s business now comes from licensed markets.

In Brazil, Bet365 was among the first wave of companies to receive licenses after the country opened its legal sports betting market in January 2025. And in the US, the operator has already launched in 13 states, with plans for further expansion, including a high-profile partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.

This is a very different growth strategy from a decade ago, when saturation in the UK drove operators to chase emerging and often unstable markets. Now, the trend is reversing: compliance is the new frontier.

Sources

1. https://sbcnews.co.uk/sportsbook/2025/03/25/bet365-china-missouri/