China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced expanding its gambling travel blacklist for citizens. The government said it was part of its war against cross-border gambling. 

Their goal is to regulate the tourism market and protect Chinese citizens' property and lives. Beijing officials introduced the blacklist in August of 2020.  However, they didn't publish the list to the public. However, sportsbook pay per head sources speculated that the list included countries where the Chinese go to gambling, including Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. 

Among the rumored countries, the Philippines has the most significant casino sector. It benefited from its improved relations with China. As a result, many Chinese tourists in the country before the coronavirus pandemic struck the world. 

Chinese Gambling Travel Blacklist

In recent months, the Philippines angered China by allowing online gambling operators to target Chinese citizens. China uses its citizens' spending power as an economic weapon. Thus, it stops tourists' flow to countries that displeased its leaders. 

In 2016, South Korea found itself in China's doghouse when it deployed a THAAD battery within its borders. China didn't like South Korea's action because the former said it threatened its security. Thus, China imposed economic sanctions that hurt the South Korean casino industry. 

However, gambling software providers can't tell if the Philippines is part of the blacklist. At present, foreigners can't enter the Philippines because of its coronavirus restrictions. The country needs to remove its travel restrictions before China can impose travel restrictions. 

According to gambling software reports, Beijing hasn't disclosed the destinations because it wants to have a more impactful effect on countries that are part of it. Sanctions are futile when there are travel restrictions because of the pandemic. 

The blacklist is good news for Macau. It serves as a protective measure for Macau's gambling industry.