Which are the 5 leading gambling sites in Japan and where to bet safely?
The best betting sites in Japan are Pinnacle, Betway, 22Bet, Bons, and BK8. While the Japanese government doesn’t regulate these sites, you will still enjoy player protection as they use international gambling licenses. Let’s learn more about these gambling platforms.
- Population: 125.8 million
- Active players: At least 3.2 million
- Currency: Japanese yen – JPY
- Regulated gambling products: Pachinko, national lottery, motorsports betting, horse race betting, and mahjong
- Operator types: Gambling parlours, betting shops
- Designated authority: Casino Administration Committee
- Status: Regulated, online casinos are unregulated but not blocked
Which Are the Best Online Gambling Sites in Japan?
Pinnacle is among the best Japanese bookmakers, and it is mainly known for offering highly competitive odds. The bookie was founded in 1998 and has grown significantly in the online gambling sector. It is jointly licensed by the governments of Curacao and Malta, so players on the site will enjoy high levels of security. Another notable benefit of Pinnacle is that it accepts professional punters and will not block them even after consistent winnings. While these benefits are great, you should note that the site does not cover lots of sports, and it also doesn’t have many bonuses and promotions. On the site, you can view odds in American and decimal formats. It supports lots of languages, including Japanese and English.
- Pros:
- It has some of the highest odds.
- It has a simple design.
- It supports the Japanese language.
- Cons:
- It has limited coverage of sports.
Betway was founded in 2006 and is currently considered the biggest sports betting site in the world. When you sign up on this betting site, you will be rewarded with a welcome bonus that has unrestrictive terms and conditions. As an existing member of the site, you will receive Plus Points, which will help you gain more bonuses as you keep playing on the platform. Another benefit of Betway is the fact that it has a mobile application, and this can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The mobile app has a great design and will give you a chance to place wagers when on the go. Betway is regulated by the government of Malta.
- Pros:
- You can punt using the Betway mobile app.
- It has generous bonuses.
- It is licensed by the Maltese government.
- Cons:
- Some top sports leagues are not covered.
22Bet is known for its wide coverage of sports events. On the site, you can bet on sports such as football, handball, volleyball, and American football. The bookie also features lots of e-sports, and they include CS: GO, FIFA, and Mortal Kombat. You can view the betting site in Japanese, and lots of other languages are supported. The default odds format on the site is decimal, but this can be converted to Hong Kong, American, Indonesian, and Malaysian. You should note that 22Bet can be accessed via a mobile application, and this is available for both iOS and Android devices. When making payments on this betting platform, you can use Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Qiwi, and Dankort, among other banking options.
- Pros:
- It supports lots of banking methods.
- It has a wide coverage of e-sports.
- It can be accessed via a 22Bet application.
- Cons:
- It lacks a bet builder feature.
The web design of Bons may not be attractive, but you will find it easy to navigate from one page to another. In order to access the sports betting section, you will have to use the light blue link at the top of the website. The most popular sports featured on this betting platform are football, tennis, e-FIFA, basketball, and ice hockey. Bons has an excellent VIP loyalty program, which will help you claim extra bonuses. This way, your net winnings will be increased significantly. The gambling site is regulated by the government of Curacao, and this means you will be protected against fraud. This betting platform supports a range of odds formats, including European, American, Hong Kong, Indonesian, and Malaysian.
- Pros:
- It is secured with SSL encryption.
- It covers the most popular sports leagues in the world.
- It has generous bonuses.
- Cons:
- The website design is unattractive.
BK8 is among the best online bookmakers in Japan, and it is licensed by the government of Curacao. The bookie uses 128-bit SSL encryption technology to protect customer information. Therefore, you can freely make deposits and withdrawals on the platform. It is worth noting that the bookie accepts deposits made using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. You can also deposit fiat currencies using Fast Pay. If you frequently need to gamble when on the go, you will be able to use the BK8 mobile app. You can install it by scanning the relevant QR code on the desktop version of BK8. The application can be used on Android and iOS devices and features the highest levels of security.
- Pros:
- You can use a BK8 mobile app.
- It offers live chat customer support.
- It is licensed by the Curacao government.
- Cons:
- The site is a bit confusing to use.
What You Need to Know About Gambling in Japan
As a resident of Japan, you will be free to gamble on online betting sites. However, there are a few things you should understand regarding gambling in Japan, and we will cover them in this section.
- Betting Environment
While lots of gambling sites accept punters in Japan, the government has historically been highly intolerant of gambling. At the moment, no land-based casinos operate legally in the country. Most operations are run illegally by the Yakuza. With the rise of online sportsbooks, people in the country have been able to use alternative services to place bets on sports. - Competition
Most forms of gambling are run by government monopolies, and large proportions of the proceedings are used for public services. However, smaller parlours are able to offer gambling services with minimal government supervision. Punters can also visit Yakuza casinos and betting shops, but since these are illegal, you are not guaranteed of getting your winnings. Your personal safety is also not guaranteed in such places. - Operators
The main gambling operators in Japan are run by the state, and they include Takarakuji. Today, you can also join online bookies. The best sites for betting in Japan include Pinnacle, Betway, 22Bet, Bons, and BK8. - Active Players
Reports indicate that more than 3.2 million people engage in at least one form of gambling. With the easy access to Japanese gambling sites, a lot more people in the country are likely to start betting. - Key info for Japanese Players
Classic casino games like blackjack and poker are illegal in Japan and can only be accessed in illegal establishments. A safer option is to use online casinos. While sports betting is legal in the country, it is extremely limited and can only be run by a state-owned company. - Gambling Taxes and Players Safety
Punters in Japan don’t need to pay gambling taxes, so they can keep all the money they earn in online and offline gambling places. To enjoy a secure gambling experience, it is essential to only sign up on bookies that have gambling licenses from strict jurisdictions such as Malta. You can also check the bookie to ensure that it uses SSL encryption technology.
How Do We Choose the Best Betting Sites in Japan?
In order to determine the top betting sites in Japan, we have to evaluate the payment options, the language options, the bonuses offered, and the quality of the customer service. It is also important to go through user reviews to see how the bookies solve customer issues.
Which Odds Formats Are Featured in Japanese Bookies?
Since most bookies in Japan are international, they support a range of odds formats. The most common ones are decimal, fractional, and American. The top bookmakers in Japan also support Malaysian, Indonesian, and Hong Kong odds formats.
Which Are the Most Common Betting Markets in Japanese Bookies?
Some of the most common betting markets in Japanese bookies are match-winner, both teams to score, draw no bet, and anytime goal scorer. The betting markets vary significantly among online bookies.
Customer Experience in Japanese Bookies
Japanese bookmakers focus heavily on providing high-quality customer experiences. One thing that determines the user experience is the website design, and this should be attractive and easy to navigate. The quality of the customer support team will also impact the user experience.
Which Promotions Are Available to Japanese Gamblers?
As a punter in Japan, you will be able to access a range of promotions. Some common types of offers are no deposit bonuses, free bets, match bonuses, and welcome offers. You should note that some offers have unreasonable terms and conditions, so you should evaluate the rules before claiming the bonuses.
Useful Betting Features
For the best online gambling experience, you should pick bookies that have useful betting features. In the in-play betting section, the bookie should have lots of markets and sports events. You should also look for sportsbooks that have live streaming options as these will help you make better live betting decisions. Another essential betting feature is the cash-out option.
Can I Legally Play Online Casino Games in Japan?
While casino gaming is illegal in Japan, players are free to sign up on international online casinos. Some games you can enjoy on these websites are slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and bingo. Lots of online casinos in Japan also offer live dealer games, and these will replicate the experience of gambling in traditional casinos.
Banking Options in Japanese Bookies
Some of the common banking options used in Japanese bookies are bank transfer, Help2Pay, EaziePay, and cryptocurrencies. You will usually be able to make deposits using the JPY.
Mobile Gambling in Japan
About 80% of people in Japan use smartphones and tablets to access the internet. For this reason, most bookies in the country have developed high-quality mobile sites or applications. You can check the reviews of the bookies to see whether they have mobile applications.
Will I be Safe When Gambling Online in Japan?
Although casino gaming is illegal in Japan, you will not be prosecuted by the government for engaging in online gambling. You should also avoid using VPNs and other IP masking tools as that is against the terms of most online bookies. For a secure gambling experience, you should only use bookies that are licensed and regulated.
Can Japanese Punters Enjoy High-Quality Customer Support?
Yes, punters from Japan will usually enjoy high-quality customer support in online gambling sites. The agents may be able to communicate in Japanese or English. Also, most sites offer 24/7 customer support.
FAQs
Are sports betting legal in Japan?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Japan.
Can you bet online in Japan?
Yes, the Japanese government does not restrict punters from placing wagers on online gambling sites.
What are the best online bookmakers?
The best betting sites in Japan are Pinnacle, Betway, 22Bet, Bons, and BK8. Each of these bookies has its pros and cons, so you should evaluate them keenly.
What is the best sports betting site in Japan?
The best sports betting site in Japan is BK8, and this is because it has been tailored perfectly to Japanese punters. It also accepts cryptocurrencies and has a mobile app.
Which Japan betting tips should I follow?
When placing bets online, you should always look for high-value odds and take note of your personal bias.
Can I use cryptocurrencies when gambling online in Japan?
Yes, lots of betting sites in Japan allow punters to place wagers with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
Will my gambling winnings attract any taxes?
No, you don’t need to pay taxes on your gambling winnings in Japan since the government does not regulate the industry.
Do I need to verify my personal details on Japanese betting sites?
Yes, the licensing bodies require the bookies to verify the details of their customers since they aren’t allowed to accept underage customers.
Interesting Facts About Gambling in Japan
- Many gambling establishments in Japan are run illegally by the Yakuza. The criminal organization also helps legal gambling parlours collect debts from customers.
- Some illegal operators in Japan allow punters to place bets on rock-paper-scissors games, and these are primarily run on mobile phones.
- There are efforts to legalize gambling in Japan, and one idea that has gained traction is the development of floating casinos.
Are Japanese Gamblers Restricted in Online Gambling Sites?
No, Japanese punters can freely participate in online gambling on offshore platforms. You can also use sites that are run illegally from Japan as the government only targets the operators. When selecting an online bookie, you should check for valid gambling licenses.
Final Verdict
Gambling is a popular activity in Japan. Since the government has banned most forms of gambling in the country, lots of people have turned to online gambling platforms. Some of the best betting sites in Japan today are Pinnacle, Betway, 22Bet, Bons, and BK8. When gambling on these platforms, you will not be required to pay any taxes on your winnings. The sites cover different sports and events, so you should evaluate them keenly before selecting a betting platform. It is worth noting that the Japanese government does not arrest or fine any players who are caught gambling online.
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