Taiwan

Exploring Taiwan's Growing Poker Scene and Legislation

For a good few years now, poker in Taiwan has been growing ever-so-slowly. Today, there are quite a number of poker rooms scattered all over the country. Similar to the laws in China and Vietnam, cash games are illegal while tournament poker is alive and well. Players can find a tournament everyday and get paid in actual cash. The rooms are open to both locals and foreigners.

The last half of 2018 saw a rise in attendance of foreign players with international events entering the market. The world-renowned Global Poker Index (GPI) also hosted an event with its second Global Poker League China series held in Taipei. Since then, the World Poker Tour followed suit.

Due to the strict regulation of no cash games, law enforcers frequent the poker rooms almost daily. Routine ID checks may come as a shock to players experiencing this for the first time, however, this is directed more towards Taiwanese players. In the event you are spot checked, just present your passport.

Famous poker player and poker commentator Maria Ho was born in Taiwan, but grew up in the United States with her family.

Online Poker in Taiwan

Online Poker Legislation in Taiwan

Contrary to other countries, there is no blocking of poker websites in Taiwan.

Taiwanese authorities are on the look for gambling sites operated within their territory, going as far as cooperating with China to bring them down. So even though they are going after operators and not players, it is best to stay away from Taiwan-based poker sites if you ever come across one.

The Golden Cruise Casino got busted on such grounds, as tickets were sold in Taiwanese convenience stores only to be used as credits online.

Established foreign-based online poker sites are thus a much better choice.

Taiwan is still a long way away from regulating online poker, but playing there should not be a problem.

Best Online Poker Sites in Taiwan

crypto-friendly
Stake Poker
Independent

Stake Poker

4.5
RakebackFixed 5%
Bonus code
SMPBONUS
SMPBONUS
Crypto Friendly
CoinPoker
Independent

CoinPoker

4.8
RakebackFixed 33%
Bonus code
SMPBONUS
SMPBONUS
SiamPoker
IDNPoker

SiamPoker

4.5
Bonus-
RakebackContact us
Bonus code
NO CODE
NO CODE

Live Poker in Taiwan

Live Poker Legislation in Taiwan

Gambling in Taiwan is prohibited by the Criminal Code of the Republic of China. As a result, only state-run lotteries, like the Uniform Invoice lottery, are legal on mainland Taiwan.

Taiwan islands, however, are subject to different regulations. In 2009, amendments to the Offshore Islands Development Act legalized the establishment of casinos on the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu, though none have been built since then.

The solution for poker players in Taiwan came, as for many countries in Asia, in the form of tournaments, while cash games still being strictly prohibited.

Indeed, the penalty for social gambling in public in Taiwan is a fine of up to NT$4600, with the confiscation of any cash found on the premises. However, some games are allowed on special days or under special restricted circumstances.

If you are hosting gambling games in your home, or wagering for high stakes, you are facing a fine of around NT$13,800 and up to 3 years in prison.

Finally, if you are found to be gambling professionally in Taiwan, you could face a sentence of 2 years in prison (or 6 months for agents).

Live Poker Venues in Taiwan

With no casinos existing in Taiwan yet, the poker scene has emerged in bars offering non-cash prize poker tournaments, and more recently in dedicated poker rooms or clubs following the same logic, the most famous one being the Chinese Texas Holdem Poker Association.

To this day, only a few of those rooms exist, but as for Japan or even Vietnam, their number is expected to grow in the next few years, the Taiwanese being known to enjoy games and gambling in general.

Gambling parlors also welcome players to gamble and receive tokens, provided that money is not won. However, tokens can often be exchanged for cash in discreet locations, but this doing is of course absolutely illegal. This is how most of the underground gambling is run in Taiwan, aside from home games.

Google Map

Venues in Taiwan

Ace8 International Poker Association
CountryTaiwanTaiwan [TWN]
CityTaipei City
Phone+886 (2) 2712 0080
Email
Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Association
CountryTaiwanTaiwan [TWN]
CityTaipei City
Phone+886 (3) 427 6098
Email
Website
CTP Asia Poker Arena
CountryTaiwanTaiwan [TWN]
CityTaipei City
Phone
Email
Dream Room
CountryTaiwanTaiwan [TWN]
CityTaipei
Phone+886 (3) 325 8885
Email

Events at Taiwan

Taiwan related news

Players Series Taipei 2024: Zong Chi He, Lee Shung Hei Lead Main Event Final 9; Sam Hung Bags Big At SS Challenge

Players Series Taipei 2024: Zong Chi He, Lee Shung Hei Lead Main Event Final 9; Sam Hung Bags Big At SS Challenge

On December 22, 2024, the inaugural Players Series kicked off its penultimate day with multiple events on the floor. Under the spotlight was the Main Event
last Sunday at 12:28 PM
Players Series Main Event: Po Jui Chen Bags Day 2 Lead; 47 Players Remain

Players Series Main Event: Po Jui Chen Bags Day 2 Lead; 47 Players Remain

Excitement roared through the CTP Asia Poker Arena as qualifiers and late entries dominated the floor for Day 2 of the inaugural Players Series Taipei 2024
last Sunday at 12:30 AM
Players Series Main Event: Chen Po Jui, Jun Yi, Patrick Liang Top Flights

Players Series Main Event: Chen Po Jui, Jun Yi, Patrick Liang Top Flights

The inaugural Players Series is a week in at the CTP Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City, Taiwan and action has now amplified as more international players have
last Friday at 9:31 AM
Hong Kong’s Horace Leung Crowned Players Series High Roller Champion

Hong Kong’s Horace Leung Crowned Players Series High Roller Champion

After an almost 15 hour day, Horace Leung came out on top hoisting the Players Series High Roller trophy accompanied by a 7-figure payday for NTD1,001,000 (~$30,830).
last Thursday at 3:35 PM
USOP Grand Finale Wraps Up With Tao Wei Chang Crowned Player Of The Year

USOP Grand Finale Wraps Up With Tao Wei Chang Crowned Player Of The Year

The USOP Grand Finale ran from November 29 to December 11, 2024 at the luxurious Pullman Grand Hotel in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and made poker history for the U
12/13/2024
Asian Poker Tour Announces Core Schedule of Live Events for 2025

Asian Poker Tour Announces Core Schedule of Live Events for 2025

It was yet another thrilling and very successful year for Asia's fastest growing live poker tour in 2024, as the Asian Poker Tour raised the bar across five
12/12/2024
Players Series Taipei 2024: Dream Big & Turn $1 Into a Main Event Seat on Natural8

Players Series Taipei 2024: Dream Big & Turn $1 Into a Main Event Seat on Natural8

Play online satellites from 25 Nov to 8 Dec to win your Main Event seat & be part of the Players Series community!
11/29/2024
Won Poker Cup II: Anshu Zheng Rules Mystery Bounty Flight B; Lin Yu Tops Main Event Day 1A

Won Poker Cup II: Anshu Zheng Rules Mystery Bounty Flight B; Lin Yu Tops Main Event Day 1A

The opening salvo of the Won Poker Cup II (Event #4) Main Event saw four players advance to Day 2 as the quest for a share of the US$600,000 GTD prize pool
11/27/2024
TMT Championship Wraps Up, Announces TMT 17 Featuring Main Event USD 1M Guarantee

TMT Championship Wraps Up, Announces TMT 17 Featuring Main Event USD 1M Guarantee

Running from October 25 to November 5, 2024, the first ever TMT Championship concluded at the Asia Poker Arena in Taipei City, Taiwan with 31 champions and
11/08/2024
Chiehchi Liu Wins TMT Championship Main Event

Chiehchi Liu Wins TMT Championship Main Event

The first ever TMT Championship crowned its Main Event champion and none was more deserving than Taiwan's Chiehchi Liu who dominated the final table from
11/05/2024
CapitalTaipei
Population23,503,349
CurrencyNew Taiwan dollar [TWD] $
TimezoneUTC+08:00
Frequentlyaskedquestions

faq background