Interesting that these seem to be happening now? It seems they’ve gotten approval
https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20180630002649-260405?chdtv
https://udn.com/news/story/7266/3227250
http://asiapokerleague.com/eventsresults/
Some gambling-style games (like cards and mahjong) are allowed on special days or under special restricted circumstances.
I guess so
There was a British poker player who successfully argued that poker is a game of skill and therefore should not be subject to gambling tax. Can’t remember his name but he won the WSOP in 1982, I think.
I would guess that similar arguments are being made here.
EDIT: Mansour Mantloubi, 1990.
The mahjong buddies that I play with always tell me that it’s OK as long as there aren’t more than two tables going at a certain location. Don’t know if this is really official or just urban legend.
I’ve also joined mahjong tournaments where a location had more than a dozen tables going. However, there was a set entrance fee, a set number of rounds, and set cash prize amounts, so I suppose that’s not considered gambling but more like a sweepstakes? There’s also atawmj.org.tw that regularly advertises these kind of tournaments.
I’d still be curious to see any official laws or regulations.
World Poker Tour (Taipei)
Wrapped up last weekend Aug 2023.
Looks like August is “Taipei Season” so maybe every August?
Buy-in ~USD$1000
~1350 players
https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/prime-wpt-prime-taiwan-season-2023/?use-theme=wptgap
Located at Asia Poker Arena
Last years event 2022.
https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/prime-wpt-prime-taiwan-season-2022/#eventTab1