Is online gambling legal in Taiwan?

Winnings above NT$5,000 face 20% withholding, and below that they are tax-free. The Taiwan Sports Lottery Self-Exclusion scheme lets you block yourself.

Online gambling is not legal here. Playing on offshore sites can get you into legal trouble.

Online sports betting is only partly legal in Taiwan (partial). Online casino is banned in Taiwan. Online poker is banned in Taiwan. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Taiwan.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Taiwan: Unclear in law.

Gambling with crypto: Banned.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Taiwan, for sports betting and lottery alike.

Winnings above NT$5,000 are subject to 20% withholding by the operator. Below that threshold, winnings are tax-free.

There are approximately 2 licensed operators in Taiwan as of 8 Oct 2026.

No national licence for online gambling exists here, so a site taking deposits from players in Taiwan is not licensed locally, whatever licence it shows from elsewhere.

Ministry of Finance (Public Welfare Lottery); Sports Administration, Ministry of Education (Sports Lottery)'s website

Prominent operators in Taiwan

• ✓
  Check for Official Government Authorization

  A legal site will clearly state it is the official 'Public Welfare Lottery' (公益彩券) or 'Sports Lottery' (運動彩券) and name the authorized operator (CTBC Bank or Taiwan Sports Lottery Co.). Any other name or claim of being a 'licensed Taiwan casino' is fraudulent.

• ✓
  Use Only Official Websites and Retailers

  Only purchase from authorized, physical retail outlets or the two official websites. Avoid any third-party sites, apps, or agents claiming to sell legal tickets, as they are part of illegal operations.

• ✓
  Refuse Payments in Foreign Currency or Crypto

  Legal lottery and sports betting transactions are conducted only in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). Any site that asks for payment in USD, EUR, or cryptocurrencies is an illegal offshore operator.

• ✓
  Look for Responsible Gambling Information

  The official Taiwan Sports Lottery provides information on responsible gaming and options for self-exclusion. The absence of these features is a major red flag for an illegal site.

What the rules mean for bonus offers you see in Taiwan. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

1. 1

   1. Contact the Operator Directly

   The first step is to file a formal complaint with the customer service department of either the Taiwan Lottery (operated by CTBC Bank) or the Taiwan Sports Lottery. They are required to have internal procedures to handle customer disputes.

2. 2

   2. Escalate to the Supervising Ministry

   If the operator fails to resolve the issue, a player can escalate the complaint to the relevant government body: the Ministry of Finance for the Public Welfare Lottery or the Sports Administration (Ministry of Education) for the Sports Lottery.

3. 3

   3. File a Legal Claim

   For unresolved financial disputes, the final recourse is to file a civil lawsuit in a Taiwanese court. For any suspected criminal activity by the operator, a report can be filed with the police.

• Myth

  It's safe to play on foreign gambling sites using a VPN.
  Reality

  This is false and illegal. Using a VPN to gamble online is a crime under Article 266 of the Criminal Code, punishable by a fine of up to NT$50,000. Taiwanese law applies as long as you are physically in Taiwan when you place the bet.

• Myth

  Small lottery winnings are not taxed.
  Reality

  This is only partially true. Lottery and sports betting winnings are tax-free only if the prize is NT$5,000 or less per ticket. Any prize amount above NT$5,000 is subject to a 20% withholding tax on the entire amount.

• Myth

  Playing online poker with friends for real money is a private game and is legal.
  Reality

  This is illegal. The 2022 amendment to the Criminal Code makes no distinction for poker and criminalizes any gambling for money over the internet, regardless of whether it is with a private group or on a public platform.