Can I Play Casino Online in Japan? 🎰
Finding the best online casinos in Japan is not necessarily an easy feat. Due to strict regulation and ongoing legal contention, the industry is still in its cradle compared to other popular casino markets where gambling has thrived for many years. Several of the biggest gambling sites in the world operate in Japan and because there is a ban on physical, local gambling houses, online gaming is the next best thing.
With that said, recent years have seen a massive influx of new online casinos in Japan, creating a market that’s never before been seen in the country. Today, you have a decent selection of great online casinos to choose from in Japan, some of which focus heavily on the Japanese markets while others are pure adaptations of European casinos. Finding an online Japan casino also depends on punters’ preferences in games, which experiences they are looking for, and added benefits and bonuses on offer.
Almost all online casinos in Japan also offer casino apps that you can easily download.
Below you can find the best online casinos in Japan based on user ratings and our expert reviews. These online casino sites have gone through extensive testing by our team and are licensed to offer online gambling in Japan. Your best option however is to use one of the more localised online casinos in Japan. Here we refer to the online casinos that have focused their efforts on creating a product that is perfectly suitable for the local market.
Use the links below to find what you are looking for.
| Number | Casino | Rating | Bonus | Freespins | Info | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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888 Casino Review | 100% Bonus | 30 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 2 |
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Vera John Review | 200% Bonus | 100 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 3 |
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Casumo Review | 100% Bonus | 0 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 4 |
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ComeOn Review | 100% Bonus | 0 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 5 |
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LeoVegas Review | 100% Bonus | 100 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 6 |
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Casino Days Review | 100% Bonus | 0 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 7 |
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Royal Panda Review | 100% Bonus | 10 Freespins | Play Now | |
| 8 |
|
Nitro Casino Review | No Bonus Bonus | 0 Freespins | Play Now |
18+ | T&C's Apply | Gamble Responsibly and only bet money that you can afford to lose. Read more about how we rate online casinos.
How to Play Online Casino in Japan ❓
Getting started with an online casino in Japan is a piece of cake. Fortunately, most casinos’ sign-up or registration process is more or less similar and you don’t have to navigate through a vastly different process every time you register with a different site
The process can be divided into the following three steps:
- Find a Safe and Legal Online Casino Site
- Register and Verify Your Identity
- Start Playing
Find a Safe and Legal Online Casino Site.
The very first step in embarking on your gaming journey is finding an online casino that you like. Perusing unbiased casino reviews in conjunction with your own research is a fool-proof way in ensuring that you choose a safe, trustworthy and licensed casino.
Our reviews are based on countless hours of testing as well as feedback from thousands of real users, which we pull from sites such as Trustpilot.
The most important thing to remember is to use safe and regulated online casinos in Japan.
Failure to do this type of due diligence could result in you running the risk of being ripped off and even having your funds and personal information stolen without any recourse or support.
It is vital that when you set out to find an online casino in Japan or elsewhere, you take into account various elements. It’s all good and well to choose an online casino site that promises, and in fact has, a very exciting and vast array of games, but you’d like to play with the assurance that you will also have a safe experience. A casino’s customer service shouldn’t leave you unsettled after having dealt with them and should follow the guidelines set out by regulating bodies in terms of money laundering, criminality, trafficking, and various other issues that impact human rights, especially those of children.
Register and Verify Your Identity
After finding your desired online casino, proceed by opening the registration page. You will be required to provide your full name, address, phone number, email, etc. This information is used as the foundation for your account and it is therefore imperative that you double-check your details before submitting your registration request. You also have to make an initial deposit to activate the new account.
To gain full access to your account and activate the withdrawal functionality, your identity needs to be verified. This process involves submitting a copy of your ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.) as well as proof of residence, such as a recent utility bill or a bank statement with your name and address on it.
The casino will list the exact documents to be submitted as well as easy-to-follow instructions on how to submit them.
Start Playing
Now, you have full access to the gambling site and you can start playing games without limitations. If you’ve never played online casino games before, we highly suggest that you try a few different kinds. This is the only place and time to use those welcome bonuses and free spins to familiarise yourself with what’s on offer without putting your own money at risk.
Maybe slots are the game type for you, or classic table games such as poker and sic bo. Why not try your luck with one of the massive bonuses offered?
That’s really all there is to it.
FAQ 🙋
Frequently asked questions about online casino in Japan
📜 Is it legal to play online casino in Japan?
Online casino gaming in Japan is illegal, however, offshore casinos fall outside the ambit of this regulation.
📝 How do I register with a casino site in Japan?
You will be able to register with an online casino in four easy steps.
- Choose a reputable online casino that piqued your interest.
- Register your personal details.
- Choose your desired method to make deposits.
- Start playing.
🗾 ARE THE CASINO SITES TRANSLATED TO JAPANESE?
There are numerous online casino sites whose content is translated into Japanese.
🎁 Can I get a casino bonus in Japan?
Bonuses are a big part of the offerings at online Japanese casinos and claiming your bonuses is childsplay. It is always a good idea to investigate the different bonuses on offer because not all of them have the same terms and conditions. Read more under our “Best Casino Bonuses in Japan” section.
🔴 Can I play live casino in Japan?
Yes, live casino is a type of online gambling that is played by the majority of players in Japan and is accessible to anyone.
🎮 CAN I PLAY PACHINKO?
Currently, Pachinko isn’t part of the online gaming library which is unfortunate as it is a traditional Japanese game and extremely popular. Read about the various casino games under our “Popular Casino Games in Japan” section.
🉑 Do Online Casinos abroad accept Japanese players?
An array of online casinos allow Japanese players to register and play. These casinos have adjusted their offerings to make them more attractive to Japanese players in terms of local payment methods, Japanese translations, and Japanese casino games.
💰 Can I deposit and withdraw with Japanese Yen?
Japanese Yen is accepted as a payment or withdrawal currency at some online casinos, and mostly for Japanese-centric products.
Popular Casino Games in Japan 🎲
On top of these games, some of the most popular online casino games in Japan include:
Live Casino is one of the most popular forms of online casinos in Japan. Most people prefer to play live casino instead of slots and Japan is no different. Over recent years, live casino has grown to become one of the most popular forms of online gambling.
With the sites we have listed here you will be able to play live casino in Japan unless we otherwise specifically say so in a review. Offering live casinos is standard among online casino sites today. Some examples of live casino games offered include:
- Live Blackjack
- Live Roulette
- Live European Roulette
- Game Shows
- Bingo
Best Casino Bonuses in Japan 🎁
One of the main perks of playing casino games online is all the offers and casino bonuses that you can make use of.
All the top casinos everywhere in the world have some sort of bonus on offer. Certain casinos can have a long list of generous bonuses with strict terms, while others offer one or two bonuses.
Your task is to find a casino with bonuses that give you added value. For example, if you only play roulette and blackjack, you don’t want a slot bonus, and vice versa. Below, you find an introduction to the best casino bonuses in Japan today.
There is no doubt that online casinos in Japan offer the most sought-after casino promotions by way of cashback and deposit bonuses. Online casinos use these bonuses to entice and retain new players and as such, players will often be offered these bonuses.
Below are some examples of the best online casino bonus offers in Japan:
- Cashback – is a bonus where the casino in question offers to refund your losses, either fully or partially. It’s a great way to get added value while also limiting the number of funds you stand to lose on any given game.
- Free Spins – the vast majority of online casinos offer free spins, or free bets, in one form or another. This type of bonus allows you to play games without risking your own money and is given in the form of tokens. It’s perfect when you’re new at a casino, when you want to test a new game out or if you have a favorite game and want to test your luck with some free spins. Some casinos may offer this in conjunction with a deposit bonus and some offer it on a frequent basis in the form of promotions. There might however be some terms and conditions that are attached to free spins which might include a cap on how much a player can win.
- Welcome Bonus – When you first deposit funds into a casino, you’re most often eligible for a welcome bonus. These work as a match-up where the casino matches your deposited amount up to a certain limit. For example, 100% first deposit bonus of up to $200. These bonuses are often the difference between whether a potential player will sign up or look further. Bonuses can be seen as a gentle nudge to get you started on your gaming journey.
- No Deposit Bonuses – A very rare “free bonus” that usually comes with terms and conditions which may include high wagering requirements.
- Jackpots – Jackpots are not technically bonuses, but they do pose a great way to earn extra money when gambling. After you’ve logged into the casino you’ve picked, you can filter out all the jackpot games. Then you can play games with small deposits and the potential chance of winning hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Tournaments – Many online casinos in Japan offer tournaments and competitions among their customers. A tournament could for example center around the player that made the most profit over a week, or the player that placed the most bets in a month. Finding a casino with tournaments will provide you with great added value, even after you’ve used up your initial offering.
- Loyalty Program – As mentioned before, when a casino has managed to entice players to register, the goal is to keep them. Loyalty programs in Japanese casinos do exactly that. It is a way to show frequent players gratitude for being loyal to the casino and they can expect to be spoiled with goodies and gifts frequently.
Japanese Casino License and Regulation 🛡️
Gambling is not legal in Japan, at least not on paper. There are some exceptions such as betting on horses, certain motorsports, public sports, the lottery, and toto (football pools), but all other forms of gambling are prohibited online. These games are still allowed to create some form of income for the government by way of taxes levied. Now, luck has it that online gambling in Japan kind of falls through the current regulation. And since there is no law keeping international operators from offering casino games in Japan, the online gambling industry is actually thriving.
The Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (formerly the Casino Administration Committee) was established in early 2020 and is responsible for drafting casino regulations in the IR (Integrated Resorts) Development Act. Its role is to oversee, monitor, and regulate casino activities whilst growing tourism in the region. Based on this, assumptions can be made that there will be a lot of changes, which may have huge impacts on gambling in Japan, offshore or otherwise.
Today, you can gamble with some of the world’s biggest online casinos in Japan, as well as a few newer additions that are solely focused on the Japanese market, both in terms of design and in the fact that the games are translated.
As always, your safety is our number of concern. Therefore, we only recommend online casinos that are tightly regulated with a casino license from other regulatory bodies, such as:
- Malta Gaming Authority
- The UK Gambling Commission
- Curacao eGaming
- Japan Casino Regulatory Commission
The History of Gambling in Japan⌛
Gambling is a sensitive subject in Japan since it is entrenched in Japanese tradition, and you might still be wondering, “Is gambling legal in Japan?” Technically gambling is illegal except for certain sports betting and public games. Despite this, and because of the absence of physical gambling houses, more online casinos have made their appearance in Japan. The reason for this is that there is no law prohibiting online casinos based outside of Japan to offer their services in the country. Because of this, we spent several days reviewing the entire Japanese online casino market.
For example, Pachinko – more commonly known as arcade games – originates in Japan. Despite Pachinko being offered as a pastime, most play them with the intent of winning money.
Lotteries have also been popular for decades and only municipality bodies are allowed to arrange them. Furthermore, poker has been popular in Japan gambling for years, and still to this day, there are a plethora of poker parlors spread across the nation. However, you’re not allowed to win money when playing poker (since domestic gambling is illegal), instead, you win tokens that you can exchange for cash or products.
Advantages of Online Gambling In Japan😀
Since there are no physical casinos in Japan advances made in technology in respect of smartphones, and other smart devices, especially in Asian countries like Japan, made it extremely easy to access online casinos. This provides players the opportunity to play their favourite casino games from the comfort of their homes and negates the need for traveling, which is a further way of cost-saving.
Players can also take their game with them, especially to places where they have to wait or stand in line for a long time.
Challenges of Online Gambling in Japan☹️
Human beings are, for the most part, creatures of habit. When a certain activity is done frequently and excessively, it becomes a way of life, in a sense a self-soothing mechanism and a way of escaping real-life challenges and stressors.
Gambling done in moderation is a relaxing and entertaining activity, but it is one of the most addictive vices we can fall prey to and could have serious negative repercussions on our finances, our family life, and even our careers. Like any type of addiction, it is extremely difficult to get out of. It is therefore important to monitor and manage screen and playtime and balance it out with other activities and hobbies.
Japan and other Asian countries are notorious for their unstable and unreliable internet infrastructure. This can cause havoc with gaming, which can be frustrating as a game can stop midway because of lost connections.
Be careful and vigilant when using public internet facilities as this could potentially expose you and make you susceptible to internet theft, etc.
A Final Word📚
Our hope is for you to have an exhilarating and satisfying experience when engaging in online gaming. As always, while having fun, also be responsible and try to maintain a balanced gambling journey.
Take care and have fun!
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