Top Online Bookmakers in Japan
In our table below, you can see the best bookmakers for Japanese players.
- Trusted Online Betting Website
- Licensed by the UKGC
- Best Sports Betting Features
- High Odds
- Trusted & Secure Online Betting Site
- Competitive Sports Betting Odds and Markets
- Great Range of Casino Games
- Professional Customer Support
- Eye-catching website design
- Great sportsbook section
- Professional customer support
- Crypto payments
- Different eSports betting markets
- Professional support
- Nice design
- Fantastic bonuses
- Good sportsbook
- Amazing casino games
- Many payment methods
Top Betting Sites in Japan Ranked
- #1 🥇 Bet365 – Best Overall Bookmaker
- #2 🥈 Betway – Top Live Betting Section
- #3 🥉 Stake – Best Welcome Offer
- #4 🎯 Pinnacle – Top Betting Odds
- #5 🎯 888Sport – Best Betting Features
- #6 🎯 BK8 – Best Sports Betting Features
Japan and Online Betting
Japan is a country with over 125 million residents famous for its rich history, incredible cuisine, and loads of other things. It is one of the many places where gambling is technically illegal, but many loopholes allow people to bet.
Some Japanese are avid gamblers that like sports betting, casinos, and pachinko. Usually, people use some popular international online bookies with a license from an offshore zone. This article will reveal some of the best betting sites in Japan and other important information.
Betting Facts About Japan
Before you start using one of the iGaming operators, here are a few intriguing facts about betting in Japan.
- Pachinko is incredibly popular
People interested in Japan will probably come across the game pachinko sooner or later. It is one of the most popular forms of gambling available in numerous land-based shops and online betting operators. - You need to be at least 20 years old to participate in gambling activities
Although most countries require people to be at least 18 years old to gamble, Japan sets the bar at 20. - Online sports betting is popular
While it is true that the classic form of sports betting is not allowed in Japan, people find a way to bet on the sport they like. Most punters use the internet daily, so they visit international sports betting sites. - Japanese is one of the popular language options
Most international iGaming operators offer several language options, one of which is Japanese. - People can participate in the lottery known as “takara kuji”
Besides choosing some of the betting sites in Japan, people can also participate in the lottery. The latter is one of the few land-based gambling activities the government regulates. - Usually, online bookies and casinos offer the Japanese yen
Since the Japanese yen is one of the leading currencies in the world, it is available on most iGaming platforms. Hence, people can make transactions without worrying about conversion fees.
Are There Any Gambling Laws in Japan?Yes, there are gambling laws in Japan. This is probably one of the most exciting countries regarding betting because there is no modern gambling framework. According to the state’s Penal Code, gambling is illegal. However, people can legally punt on different sports, such as motorcycle racing, horse racing, powerboat racing, and even bicycle racing. Some legislative changes in 1998 also allowed people to wager on football matches from the Japan J League. Even though there are no licensed online bookmakers in the country, people find a way to visit the brands they like. That’s why many international iGaming operators have a lot of Japanese customers. As for land-based casinos, some legislative changes can give a Japanese casino license, but as of now, there are no active operators. |
Which Are The Top Six Betting Sites in Japan?
The top six betting sites in Japan are listed below so that you can learn more about them.
- Pros:
- Interesting betting sections
- High-quality customer support department
- Good bonuses
- Cons:
- Customers usually have to use English when contacting the support team
- Pros:
- Numerous sports betting markers
- An impressive array of casino games
- Cool features and intriguing bonuses
- Cons:
- No detailed betting guides for some sports
- Pros:
- The leading cryptocurrency betting platform
- Has numerous safety offers and is available on the go
- Stake has some of the top-tier betting options in the business
- Cons:
- The operator is yet to add every betting section in existence
- Pros:
- Strong social media presence
- The platform supports several language options, including Japanese
- The sportsbook and the casino are good
- Cons:
- Not as many markets like in the other iGaming platforms
- Pros:
- A solid selection of betting bonuses and features
- You can wager on virtual sports
- There are more than enough markets, good odds, and helpful features
- Cons:
- Some punters won’t like the design
- Pros:
- An innovative betting platform that is safe to use
- Fast and easy payments
- Numerous betting sections, some of which are not available elsewhere
- Cons:
- The bookie does not support the Japanese language
Do Japanese Bookmakers Compete For New Clients?
Yes, Japanese bookmakers compete for new clients, but there isn’t a brand with a market monopoly. Most of the popular betting platforms are available in other countries. Still, you can find several companies that only focus on the Japanese market. Attracting new clients is not easy, which is why some of the best betting sites in Japan come up with unique bonuses, tournaments, and competitions.
Which Are The Bonuses Offered By The Japanese Bookmakers?The bonuses offered by the Japanese bookmakers include promotions for new users and registered customers. Since the rewards are most companies’ hidden weapons, you can expect to find things, such as enhanced odds, free bets, and reload promotions. In some cases, the iGaming companies also offer free spins and cashback. If you are interested in online betting Japan and want to use a bonus, go through the Terms and Conditions. This document will provide you with more information about the specific offer. Apart from the rollover amount, you can also learn about the minimum deposit amount, the validity period, and more. |
The Features And Options Found At Japanese Bookmakers
If you choose some of the betting sites in Japanese or one of the many international brands, you will probably come across the following features:
Live Betting | |
Cash Out | |
Live Streaming | |
Results |
The Popular Online Payment Options in Japan
People who want to get the best possible Japanese gambling experience need to choose a proper online bookmaker and make a deposit. Japanese punters can make transactions using various options like bettors from other countries. In addition to their credit cards, people can make wire transfers, use e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies. It should be noted that most banks in the country block transfer to gambling sites.
The processing time, minimum deposit/withdrawal amount, and fees depend on which iGaming operator you choose. The good news is that most of them don’t have extra fees and offer fast transfers. The minimum requirements are also low, but some bonuses require a more substantial transaction.
In terms of the currencies, the Japanese yen is usually one of the available options. However, you can also use USD, EUR, GBP, RUB, and more.
Do Japanese Bettors Like Mobile Betting?
Yes, Japanese bettors like mobile betting because most people use smartphones or tablets. Since the country is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world, it shouldn’t be a surprise mobile betting is essential. To access the best betting sites in Japan, people have to download and install a mobile app for Android/iOS or use the mobile website. Even though the apps have more fans, some iGaming operators only offer a mobile website.
Because online betting is illegal, people who want to get the apps they like have to download things, such as apk files. However, some online bookmakers and casinos may offer them the chance to get the app from the App Store or Google Play. As for the things they offer, the majority of the apps and websites provide the same things as the desktop platform.
Japan and Online Casinos
The topic of casinos in Japan is delicate because there aren’t any land-based casinos yet, despite the latest legislative changes. Fortunately, online bettors in the country can experience multiple award-winning online casinos. Most of them also offer other betting sections, making them even more appealing.
As you probably know, most Japanese like games, such as pachinko. So, don’t be surprised that the iGaming casino operators give them access to many slots, including online pachinko variations. However, people could get tired of playing slots, so some operators also offer table games, poker, and live casino titles.
Which Sports Are The Go-to Options for Japanese Players?
The sports that are the go-to options for Japanese players are listed below and have fans from many other countries.
- Football
Football plays a vital role in Japan because the country is famous for having one of the best national teams in the region. Apart from punting on the World Cup and other international events, soccer fans can wager on the J1 League, the top division in Japan. Besides choosing one of the online betting sites legal in Japan, people can place bets on this league in land-based facilities regulated by the government. - Martial Arts
One of the first things that come to mind when people hear about Japan is martial arts. Things, such as Judo, originate from this country, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people bet on these sports. Although some bookies do not provide many options, you can usually find at least a few exciting events. - Basketball
Those who want to learn more about the history of Japanese gambling will see that basketball is one of the essential sports in the country. Japanese bettors usually wager on the domestic B. League, which was formed in 2016. Before that, people had access to the National Basketball League and the Bj League. - Baseball
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the U.S. because the MLB is home to some of the best teams in the world. However, the sport also has plenty of fans in Japan, making it among the go-to betting options. Some people in the country prefer to punt on the MLB. Still, they can also wager on their domestic league called Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Typical Japanese Bettor
Similar to other countries, people who use online bookmakers and casinos in Japan are usually men. They need to have some computing skills to access different platforms because they may require a VPN.
Although sports betting has a lot of fans, pachinko is one of the most popular gambling activities in Japan. Hence, many people also like casino games, especially slots.
FAQs
Is online betting legal in Japan?
No, online betting is illegal in Japan.
Are there any taxes for Japanese players on their winnings?
Yes, there are taxes to Japanese players on their winnings, but only if they are over 500,000 JPY and usually do not apply to online betting.
Can I open an account and play with JPY?
Yes, you can open an account and play with JPY.
Are there any betting restrictions for Japanese players?
Yes, there are many restrictions for Japanese players because gambling is illegal.
Can you bet on sumo in Japan?
Yes, you can bet on sumo in Japan, but only if you find an online bookie that offers this sport.
Is sports betting legal in Japan?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Japan, but only if people punt on specific things, such as the J League, horse racing, boat racing, and more.
Final Thoughts Related to Betting in Japan
As one of the most technologically-advanced nations globally, Japan is one of the countries where online betting will go through many changes in the future. Despite being illegal, people can freely access numerous international iGaming websites. The latter allows them to punt on sport, play casino games, and experience other kinds of betting sections.
Regarding land-based betting, Japan is one of the places where punters can wager on specific sports and play games, such as pachinko. However, the country is yet to have a real land-based casino. The good news is that the iGaming sites we’ve provided in this article have everything you need to have a good betting experience.