China is most certainly on its way of becoming a world market dominator in the casino gambling industry.  With the tight grip that anti-casino gambling laws have had on the industry, perhaps the recent news of London-based Betex getting the green light to open sports betting shops in mainland China suggests that government officials are bending to the increasing numbers of Chinese residents who are participating in several forms of gambling, namely European soccer betting.

Betex Group Plc has had their hands in the Asian betting industry prior to their deal with Guangdon Le Ke Casual Lottery Bars Co. Limited (GLKCL).  Last year, Betex was the first foreign gambling company to penetrate China when they signed a deal with Guangzhou Run Sports Planning Co. Limited (GRSP), thus giving them a stake in the sports and lottery industry in the Hebei and Guizhou provinces.  GRSP was essential in getting Betex in the business, for they knew the ins and outs that were required for obtaining gambling operation and marketing licenses.  And now that Betex is getting their fare share of lottery revenue in Hebei and Guizhou, their place in China is looking propitious.

What is most exciting about their deal with GLCKC is that it allows Betex to operate mega-betting shops in the Guangdon Province of Southeast Asia, which is where the most exploitive gambling markets are located.  Both Hong Kong and Macau are in the Guangdon Province, and is where European soccer betting is King.  In addition to weekly soccer pools, the betting shops are being permitted to offer numbers bets (highly popular with the Chinese), as well as 14-match accumulators.

Betex CEO, Peter Greenhill, validated his company's success by commenting on their experiences working with Sports Lottery operations residing in China.  It is very apparent the Chinese culture is quite superstitious, although many would rightly say that superstition only has the power that one accords to it.  Considering the Chinese have accorded tremendous power in their beliefs and faith, it is safe to say that soccer betting, casino gambling, lottery and the other myriad ways of obtaining good fortune are there to stay.