Bet365 Leaves China
China – March 27, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com – As of March 27, Bet365 will no longer offer its services to users in China. The decision reflects a strategic shift, as the company will focus on markets that offer sustainable, long-term growth. Additionally, the announcement follows ongoing regulatory challenges in the Asian country.
Exit Date and Account Access
The news was published by Bet365 on its support account on X. In response to a customer, the company wrote: “Unfortunately, we will no longer provide our services to customers residing in China.”
Although the final deadline is March 27, affected users will still have access to their accounts until April 30. After this date, they must contact Bet365 directly to withdraw any remaining funds on the platform.
The company described the move as “a business decision.”
“Bet365 continuously analyzes and evaluates the markets where it offers its services. The group has decided to align its focus with its core competencies in key markets, consolidating its resources to focus on gaining market share in regions that provide sustainable long-term revenue.”
According to local reports, the company also plans to exit other markets but has not confirmed which ones.
Legal Restrictions and Mirror Sites
In China, gambling is illegal. Only state-run lotteries operate legally. Macau and Hong Kong have more flexible laws, but these do not apply to the mainland.
To reach users, some foreign operators rely on “mirror sites.” These are copies of betting websites with different domain names or IP addresses to bypass restrictions. In 2022, Business Insider reported that Bet365 and its affiliates used 59 such sites in China.
At the time, Bet365 claimed it did not believe this activity violated the law. The brand also stated that China’s penalties had not changed its position.
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Bet365’s Financial Growth Without Regional Data
In its latest financial report, Bet365 showed strong growth. For the 53 weeks ending March 31, 2024, revenue increased by 9% to €3.7 billion. As a result, profits nearly reached €400 million.
However, the report did not include a regional breakdown, as per the company’s statement, a decision made by the group.
“A geographic analysis of turnover was not provided, as the directors believe such disclosure would be severely detrimental to the group’s interests,” the statement said.
Bet365 operates in over 150 countries and offers support in 22 languages. The company did not disclose how much of its revenue came from China.
Market Size and Future Impact
In 2020, Regulus Partners estimated that direct-to-consumer online gambling in China was worth $15 billion in net revenue per year. This estimate excludes activity through betting agents.
Bet365’s exit removes a major international brand from this space. It remains to be seen how this move will impact the company’s global presence.
Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com