As of 2025, Japan maintains one of the most tightly regulated and conservative gambling environments among developed nations. While some forms of gambling are legal under specific laws, others—especially casino-style games—remain highly restricted. The legalization of Integrated Resort (IR) casinos in recent years marks a slow shift toward controlled gambling expansion. Japan does not allow most traditional forms of online casino gambling, although it permits betting on certain public sports and operates a limited state-controlled gambling framework.
This article explains the legal status of gambling and betting in Japan as of 2025 and includes a list of the top legal casinos and online betting platforms accessible to Japanese residents or visitors.
Is Gambling Legal in Japan in 2025?
Gambling is mostly illegal in Japan under the Penal Code of Japan, which bans private gambling and the operation of gambling businesses. However, the government has created exceptions for certain types of gambling through special laws.
Legally Permitted Forms of Gambling in Japan:
- Public Sports Betting (authorized by law)
- Horse racing (Keiba)
- Bicycle racing (Keirin)
- Motorboat racing (Kyōtei)
- Motorcycle racing (Auto Race)
- National Lotteries
- Takarakuji lottery
- Numbers and scratch cards
- Pachinko and Pachislot
- Considered a “game” not gambling, operates in a legal gray zone
- Integrated Resort (IR) Casinos
- Regulated and licensed, limited number of licenses granted
Most other forms of gambling, including online casino platforms, poker, and traditional sports betting, are prohibited unless operated under official government oversight.
Key Laws Governing Gambling in Japan
- Japanese Penal Code (Articles 185 & 186)
- Prohibits unauthorized gambling
- Punishable by fines or imprisonment
- Public Sports Law and Other Specific Acts
- Legalize betting on horse racing, motorboat, bicycle, and motorcycle racing under strict regulation
- Takarakuji Law
- Allows government-run lotteries
- IR Implementation Act (2018)
- Legalizes casino gambling within Integrated Resorts
- Strict licensing, background checks, and anti-addiction policies required
- FSA (Financial Services Agency) and National Police Agency
- Monitor illegal online gambling and block access to offshore websites
Integrated Resort (IR) Casinos in Japan – 2025 Status
Japan has approved Integrated Resorts (IRs) with casino facilities as part of large hotel and entertainment complexes. As of 2025:
Approved Casino Projects:
- Osaka IR Casino (Yumeshima Island)
- Operator: MGM Resorts & Orix Corporation
- Expected Opening: Late 2029
- Features: Casino, hotels, shopping, convention center
- Legal casino under Japanese law with strict visitor limits for locals
- Nagasaki IR (Huis Ten Bosch)
- Under development, subject to funding and approval
- Proposed in partnership with Casinos Austria
These are the only legal casino projects currently progressing in Japan. No other land-based casinos are authorized.
Rules for Japanese Nationals at Casinos
- Japanese citizens must pay an entry fee of approximately ¥6,000 per visit
- Limited number of visits per week/month
- Must show valid ID (My Number Card or Residence Card)
- Monitored for signs of addiction (Japan has strict responsible gambling policies)
- Foreign tourists can enter without restriction, but must also show ID and follow casino rules
Pachinko and Pachislot: Japan’s Grey Zone Gambling
Pachinko is not legally considered gambling but is treated as an amusement activity. Players win tokens, which are exchanged for prizes and then often converted to cash at nearby (but technically separate) exchange counters.
- Pachinko is regulated by the National Public Safety Commission
- Players are not paid directly in cash, keeping it within the legal boundaries
- Highly popular, with thousands of parlors nationwide
Online Gambling in Japan – 2025
Legal Status:
- Online gambling is generally illegal if not operated by an approved Japanese body.
- No Japanese-licensed online casinos are allowed.
- Online betting on approved public sports and lotteries is legal through official government websites.
- Accessing foreign online casinos is technically illegal, although enforcement is low at the individual level.
Legal Online Platforms:
These platforms are run by government agencies or licensed operators and are legal for Japanese users:
- JRA (Japan Racing Association)
- www.jra.go.jp
- Horse race betting online, regulated and legal
- BOAT RACE Official
- www.boatrace.jp
- Bet on motorboat racing
- Keirin.jp
- www.keirin.jp
- Online betting on cycle races
- Auto Race Official Site
- autorace.jp
- Legal motorcycle betting
- Takarakuji Official Lottery Site
- takarakuji-official.jp
- Purchase lottery tickets online
All users must be at least 20 years old to legally bet or participate in any online gambling.
Top 5 Online Gambling and Betting Apps Legal in Japan (2025)
Only public betting services and government lotteries are allowed via apps:
1. JRA-VAN
- Official app for Japan Racing Association horse race betting
- Real-time odds, live streams, and results
2. BoatRace App
- Legal app to bet on boat races
- Offers schedules, past results, and live race viewing
3. Keirin Betting App
- Official platform for placing bets on track cycling events
- Includes tutorials for beginners
4. Auto Race Net App
- Motorcycle racing with legal betting in Japan
- Regulated, tracks user history, and promotes responsible gaming
5. Takarakuji Lottery App
- Buy lottery tickets, scratch cards, and check results
- Safe and legal under government licensing
Popular Offshore Online Casinos Used by Japanese Players (ILLEGAL in Japan)
Despite the legal status, many Japanese users still access foreign online casinos through VPNs or offshore payment methods. These platforms are not authorized and include:
- 1xBet
- Stake
- Bet365
- Bitcasino
- LeoVegas
- PokerStars
Use of these sites is technically illegal, and advertising or promoting them is punishable under Japanese law. Users are advised to avoid such platforms to stay within legal limits.
Penalties for Illegal Gambling in Japan
- Individuals caught gambling illegally may face:
- Fines up to ¥500,000
- Imprisonment up to 3 years (for repeat offenses or organizers)
- Operators of illegal casinos can face severe criminal charges
- Online gambling operators targeting Japanese users without licenses are regularly blocked and prosecuted
Japan also prosecutes those involved in illegal gambling rings, especially in connection with organized crime.
Future of Gambling in Japan (2025 and Beyond)
- The government is focused on opening only 3 Integrated Resorts (IRs) across the country.
- Strict control will continue for online gambling, with no plans to legalize private online casinos.
- More promotion and support are expected for legal public sports betting and national lotteries.
- Crypto-based casinos and decentralized betting platforms are under investigation and expected to be further restricted.
Conclusion
In 2025, gambling in Japan is highly controlled, and only specific forms like public sports betting, pachinko, and national lotteries are permitted. Legal casinos are being developed through the Integrated Resort framework, with the Osaka IR being the first major project. Online gambling remains mostly banned, except for government-run sports betting and lottery services.
If you are in Japan and wish to gamble legally, you should:
- Use official apps like JRA-VAN, BoatRace, or Keirin.jp
- Visit licensed pachinko parlors or future IR casinos (when open)
- Avoid foreign online casinos, as they are illegal and unregulated
For tourists, once the IR casinos open, they will provide a safe and legal environment for gaming within Japan’s strict laws.
