Best casino sites in Japan

Population: 125,5 million
Active Players: 25 million
Currency:  Japanese Yen (¥)
Regulated Gambling Products:  Land-based Casino, Horse Racing, Lottery
Operator Types: Online and land-based casinos, bookmakers, betting shops,
Designated Authority: Japan Casino Regulatory Commission
Status: Regulated only on land-based level

Japan is known around the world for its unique culture, high standards of living and strong links with the past. However, the Asian country is also one of the most efficient when it comes to dealing with daily issues faced by its citizens. Of course, we could not be talking about Japan without mentioning the mouth-watering sushi, the Samurai, or picturesque Mount Fuji.

For a highly-technologized country, Japan’s conservative take on online gambling can seem a bit weird to most. However, we must not forget that we’re talking about a country where tradition and honor are above any other aspects of modern life. It was only in 2018 when a law was passed to authorize land-based casinos in the country while there’s no legislation for the online environment. Therefore, casino enthusiasts looking for a Japan casino will have to focus on the international operators that accept players from the country.

We invite you to discover more details about the Japanese gambling environment, and what can be expected from the Japan casino legislation. 

Did You Know That?

• The legal gambling age in Japan is 20
• Most forms of gambling are banned through the Japanese Criminal Code
• Pachinko and pachi-slot games are extremely popular across the country
• There are no licensed online casinos in the country
• Despite issuing a law to allow three land-based operators, no deals have been signed by casinos coming to Japan.

Casino Sites in Japan

For those looking for a good online casino, Japan may seem like not the best place since the laws don’t cover the online environment at all. However, there are always alternatives to enjoy top-quality online slots and table games.

Legal Casino Sites in Japan

Unfortunately, the Japan casino legalization only covered the land-based sector. Therefore, there are no legal options for players looking for some online casino entertainment. Things aren’t any good when talking about land-based venues either since negotiations between the authorities and major companies seem to take forever. The good news is that just like there are no laws for online casinos in the country, there’s no penalty for those enjoying offshore casinos either. 

International Casino Sites in Japan

The vast majority of online casinos accept players from Japan since the authorities did not impose any restrictions. Therefore, when looking for the best online casino, Japan is the place where you will be able to enjoy all the big names in the industry. Even if there are no restrictions to worry about, you should always check and make sure you’re playing at a casino licensed by a trustworthy regulator. Take PlayOjo for example, licensed by the MGA and UKGC. That’s a casino you know you can trust when it comes to paying withdrawals, delivering a good games offer, and being fair altogether.

Welcome Bonuses and Deposit Limits

When talking about the welcome bonuses available for Japanese casino enthusiasts, we can only refer to what’s available at international casinos. Don’t take this as a negative aspect because the diversity in deposit bonuses and free spins offered by offshore operators can’t really be matched. You can either go for a 100% bonus on the first deposit like the one offered by RedKings or GunsBet, on top of which you’ll also get packs of free spins. However, if you’re more interested in playing free spins only, PlayOjo comes with a great deal that gives you no-wagering spins as a welcome bonus. In both cases, the minimum deposit to claim the welcome offer is €10 while the 100% bonus usually goes to €100 or more.

Casinos with Yen

Since there’s no local online casino presence, finding operators that offer Yen as a currency can be tricky. However, the casinos listed on this page will allow you to play in EUR or USD without any currency exchange fees. 

How to Deposit and Withdraw on Japanese Casino Sites?

No matter if you enjoy a mobile casino Japan or play on your computer, you’ll have to top-up your account to enjoy your favorite games and win real money. Next, we’re looking at what payment methods a casino Nippon enthusiasts can use.

Bank Transfer

There’s no dedicated payment method to act as a third-party between players’ accounts and casinos in Japan. However, all the big banks in the country offer internet banking and transfers can easily be processed. 

eWallet Options

When it comes to depositing via ewallets, Japanese players can rely on Neteller. Even though the ewallet wasn’t available for a short period, they’ve returned in Japan. Skrill is still unavailable and PayPal can only be used for business. There are also no locally-developed ewallets designed for gambling transactions. 

Mobile Payments

Despite a plethora of mobile payments available in Japan – PayPay, Line Pay, or Rpay – none of them are available for online gambling nor is offered at international casinos. Not even the international services such as Boku can be used inside Japan. Using bank transfer apps on the phone or even ewallets is the only option.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency gambling is enjoying a lot of popularity in Japan. Since the Japanese are very much into technology, depositing with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency feels natural. Luckily, there are more and more casinos accepting Bitcoin payments and Bitstarz or FortuneJack are among the top-rated.

How to Create and Verify Your Account on Japanese Casino Sites

Assuming you’ve already identified the best online casino for you, it’s time to register an account and start playing your favorite games. The registration procedure at international casinos is straightforward. However, we prepared a short guide so that you know what to expect:

• Go to the casino website and look for the “Sign Up” button
• In the window that opens, you will be asked to provide a set of personal information – the casino may ask for this information in multiple steps
• Just fill in the fields with your name, date of birth, email address and any other info required
• Select the country you’re playing from and the currency you will be using
• Choose a username and password before finalizing the process

Any licensed online casino will also require you to verify the account. This is usually done when you request the first withdrawal. However, why wait until then and risks delaying the procedure? Send copies of a photo ID, the card you used to deposit, and a recent utility bill to the support department, and make sure you verify your account. Some casinos can even add an extra bonus for doing so early. 

What Can We Expect from Japanese Gambling Law Changes?

The conservative and traditional Japanese authorities’ approach towards online gambling doesn’t leave room for high hopes. Also, considering that the law legalizing the three land-based casinos in Japan is in place since 2018 and no real progress has been made since then, paints a picture of its own. Even though there are voices in Nipon politics claiming that the country would benefit from the taxes collected with a legal online gambling environment in place, it seems very unlikely that anything will change in the near future