Gambling in Japan – Online Casinos in Japan and How They Work
The subject of gambling in Japan is a sensitive one. The government doesn’t currently allow luck-based games to be played freely in the country, but games that do take skill even though luck is involved are considered to be legal. However, as we’ve said, the line that is drawn between both types of games is a pretty thin one.
Online gambling in Japan is, therefore, the only way for many players to enjoy traditional casino games in the country given that there aren’t any casinos available as land-based locations. If you’ve ever been to Japan, however, you probably know all about Pachinko. These slot machines are very popular in the country and are, in one way or another, the only form of legal gambling that you’ll see in Japan.
In fact, Pachinko machines are so popular that they serve as the only way for Japanese players to gamble legally without repercussions. However, some people also play Pachinko with the intention of spending some quality time, without having to bet any money on the game. The main purpose of these machines is to wager cash, so keep that in mind if you wish to try them out or see how they work.
The fact that Pachinko machines are legal in the country has sparked a giant debate regarding whether casinos should be legalized in Japan or not. In fact, there have been laws that haven't been passed yet which have tried to legalize gambling as a whole in certain areas of Japan, and although talks are still continuing to this day, nothing has been achieved.
Gambling Legislation in Japan and Its Issues
The main problem with gambling laws in Japan is that it’s very unfair the way laws are written. In fact, a game doesn’t even need to be traditional gambling as to be considered as such according to the eyes of the law. As long as any type of chance is involved in the results of the game, it will be considered gambling and is, therefore, illegal.
This has sparked a lot of problems when it comes to judging games in general, as the fact that chance can’t be involved is a huge issue given that most games have some sort of luck involved regardless of how you look at it. There are hopes for the future of Japan’s online gambling industry and gambling in general, but the laws certainly don’t make it easy right now.
Is Only Gambling Legal in Japan?
As big of an issue as it is to gamble in local casinos in Japan, you can always count on the old and reliable online gambling industry to save the day. Many foreign casinos allow players from Japan to visit them and wager there, as the laws don’t make it as difficult for locals to wager on foreign websites if they wish to do so. It’s all about knowing where to look for the best online casinos Japan has to offer!
However, do keep in mind that you won’t find any online casinos that are directly hosted in Japan. If you’re after a website like that, move on. You won’t find it. Online casinos cannot operate within Japanese soil nor can they have any servers hosted in Japan. It’s the law that online casinos must be foreigner-operated if they are not to get in trouble.
However, you should also keep in mind that most online casinos in Japan are still frowned upon by the authorities of the country. Gambling is a sensitive subject in anything that isn’t directly associated with Pachinko machines. Things might be due to change in the future, but Japan currently frowns upon online gambling as much as any other conservative country.
The Best Online Casinos Japan Offers and What They Have
You should never expect to find online casinos that offer bonuses to Japanese players in yens. Most offers that you’ll find in the casinos that we have listed here at The Casino Wizard are mostly given away in euros and other types of popular worldwide currency. You can also access US dollars and use them to wager on some of these sites.
We recommend our Japanese readers looking for the best online casino bonuses in Japan to take a closer look at withdrawal and deposit methods that work with e-wallets or bitcoins. For example, using services like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller (all of which are widely accepted in most online casinos in Japan) allow you to move money much more freely than you would if you used direct transfers.
This would also save you a lot of trouble in the long run when filing taxes, as it would be easier to explain where the money comes from rather than filing the direct origin of online casinos.
However, you can also exchange your money and make direct deposits if you wish. The most practical method is using bitcoins or any other sort of crypto, which is also a very popular gambling method in Japan.
Bonuses and Games
The best online casinos in Japan also offer some of the best casino bonuses that you’ll find on the internet. You will find anything from the best free spin bonuses in Japan to the best match deposit bonuses for players that would rather be challenged with their own money rather than use free spins to earn more. You can visit the best NextGen casinos in Japan to play the best games and claim fantastic bonuses.
In any case, we’ve made a small list of the best real money casinos Japan has in store for you, which have the best casino promotions available for players worldwide. Play as a Japanese high roller or take your gaming with you wherever you go - it's never been easier to do it in the Land of the Rising Sun!
