New Online Casinos in Japan

New online casinos have grown in popularity all around the world, and they have taken a good proportion of the traditional gambling market. Japan is not an exception to this rule, rather one of the leaders. Many Japanese people have created accounts in new casinos online, even though Japan does not license such sites yet. If you reside in Japan, you can use this guide to learn more about the online gambling market in the country and how to get started, where to play and what to look out for. Below is a top list for the best new casinos in Japan.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Japan?

Japan has one of the oldest gambling law in the world, meaning that it’s not really up to date. They still follow the provisions of a law passed in 1907, decades before the invention of the computer and 70 years before the introction of Internet to the average households. The old law banned all forms of gambling, apart from horse racing and bicycle betting. In later legislations, the country approved sports betting, which is done in many establishments around the country. They are in the process of approving a couple of land-based casino, probably in Tokyo and Yokohama or Osaka, but bribery issues have made the entire case a bit more complicated. At least Melco is cooperating with Japans last bribery probe. So for now, it’s safest and best to bet on any online casino instead of “trying” to find a physical casino – since there are zero at the moment. However, now it’s just a question of time before online casinos will be fully legalised in Japan. There are no clear laws touching on online gambling in the country and the country lacks and active regulatory body for new casinos online.

Why is online gambling is fine for people in Japan?

Regardless of its legal status, the government of Japan does not target online gamblers or online casinos that offer services in Japan. That is why many online casinos accept Japanese players and even allow them to play with the Japanese Yen. It is expected that Japan will legalize other forms of gambling by 2024. Before then, residents of Japan will have to be content with overseas websites.

How come Japan don’t target online gambling?

It’s still a small source of revenue for the government of Japan and they have way bigger opportunities to target other sectors.

What Payment Methods Are Available for Japanese citizens?

Players in Japan can make payments to the new casino using many of the standard banking methods. These include credit cards and debit cards such as VISA and MasterCard, e-wallets, and bank transfer. Commonly used e-wallets in Japanese online casinos include LINE Pay, iWallet, and Rakuten Pay. Some casinos will even allow you to transact with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. You should note that some deposit methods can disqualify you from the welcome bonuses of certain casinos. You can go through the terms and conditions of the welcome bonuses before settling on a single payment method. Also, when picking a banking method, you should consider the speed of transactions, the associated fees, and safety of the channel. You should also remember that some methods are only allowed for deposits and not withdrawals. For example, casinos that accept Japanese players will only allow them to use credit cards for deposits. Withdrawals will have to be processed in other ways. Depending on the banking option you select, the transactions can be completed instantly or over some days. In many cases, you will not be charged by the casino or banking channel for the deposits or withdrawals. Another important thing to consider is the availability of support in Japanese. If you are more comfortable with Japanese support representatives, you should go for banking options that allow you to communicate in the language.

Which Casino Software Are the Most Accessible for People in Japan?

People in Japan can play games from many different software developers. Some of the most popular software developers available to people in the country include NetEnt, Microgaming, NextGen Gaming, and Evolution Gaming. These companies develop slot machines and table games like blackjack, poker, and roulette. You can also play live dealer games on the sites. Since there are no laws on online gambling, you should be able to access all the available casino games.

Are There Any Risks if I Play Casino Games in Japan?

Although online gambling is not legal in Japan, there are still no repercussions or penalties for people who wager on these games. To eliminate your risk of getting scammed, you should only play on licensed online casinos. Some excellent licensing jurisdictions for online casinos include Malta, Curacao, Philippines, and the United Kingdom. These bodies ensure that the sites adhere to strict standards. Once that is done, your only risk would be to lose money on gambling, but this is a part of the gambling experience. If you are assured of winning, it would no longer be gambling. At the same time, you may also win substantial amounts of money from the games.

Are There Different Laws for Expats and Locals?

No, Japan does not have any land-based casinos, so it has not been necessary to create different laws for expats and locals. Online casinos do not have any legal provisions for expats or local residents.

Where Can You Play Online Casino Games in Japan?

There are many new online casinos that accept players from Japan. New casinos in Japan usually use games from many software providers, and that means you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of games on the site. Also, many of them hold at least two licenses. This gives them a sense of credibility. It is better to gamble on offshore websites as opposed to local Japanese casinos in Japan. This is because local Japanese casinos cannot get gambling licenses, and this means there is no way of determining whether or not they are legitimate. Offshore casinos are not breaking any laws in Japan, and that means they have a higher level of credibility and reputability.

Can I Play with Japanese Live Casino Dealers?

You can play with Japanese dealers in the live casinos, even though Japan has not legalised online gambling. If you play on a site that specifically aims at attracting Japanese players, you will be able to change the operating language and currency of the site. You will also be able to deal with people who speak Japanese. Live casinos with Japanese dealers are excellent for people in the country, especially since there are no traditional casinos in the country.

Can I Access Mobile Casinos in Japan?

You can play mobile casino games in Japan. Some games you can play on your phone include slot machines, blackjack, poker, and live dealer games. When choosing an online casino, you can check whether their mobile sites run smoothly. Also, you can consider signing up with a casino that has a mobile app.

What is the Legal Gambling Age in Online Casinos in Japan?

New casinos online in Japan only accept players who are at least 18 years old. This is the minimum gambling age in most jurisdictions around the world.

Can You Bet on Sports in Japan?

Yes, it is possible to place bets on sporting events in Japan. This is one of the few forms of gambling which are accepted in the country. Although there are many sports betting shops in the country, people like to bet in online casinos.

Can You Access Japanese Customer Care in Online Casinos?

Not all online casinos offer their customer support in Japanese. If you are not comfortable with English customer service, you should consider the available languages on the site and choose a casino with Japanese reps. Also, you should consider signing up with a site which can be accessed in the Japanese language.

How to Choose a Safe New Casino in Japan

There are many safe and reputable online casinos in Japan, but you should always be vigilant when selecting a site. Since online casinos are not yet licensed in Japan, you will have to find a new online casino which is licensed in other reputable jurisdictions like Malta, Curacao, and the UK. Our 2 preferred jurisdictions are Malta and the UK – which both take online gaming matters extremely seriously. You should also avoid playing on sites which have been blacklisted or are featured on our warning list. Typically, these sites will refuse to pay winnings and may even lock your account when you make a huge winning.

Conclusion

Most forms of gambling are illegal in Japan, but you will still be able to play on offshore based new online casinos from Japan. These sites do not hold particular Japanese licenses, since that doesn’t exist yet. Instead, they are licensed in overseas jurisdictions where online casino is a normal form of entertainment from the comfort of your home or mobile phone, wherever you are. Besides the licenses, you should ensure that the online casinos in Japan reasonable payment methods and games that you enjoy. Also, check the welcome bonuses and other promotions available in our reviews. Usually, these will be given in the Japanese Yen but some will accept dollar or euros instead. Other key factors you should check include the available languages on the site and the payment methods accepted on the site. Almost all of these casinos allow you to place bets on your mobile phones. They may have iPhone and Android applications, while others will only have mobile sites. With this information, you should be able to find a reputable online casino in Japan. Just look at our top list for Japan above and find a great site of your choice.