Online Casinos in Japan

Online casino gambling is illegal in Japan, even on sites licensed overseas. Legal gambling is limited to public sports (horse racing, keirin, auto racing, powerboat racing) and official lotteries. A June 2025 amendment to the gambling addiction law also bans operating, promoting and linking to online casinos. This page is informational and does not encourage play.

Last verified: 2026-10-01

No, for online casinos. Japan's Criminal Code prohibits gambling, with exceptions for public sports run by government-linked bodies (horse racing, keirin, auto racing and powerboat racing) and official lotteries such as sports toto and Takarakuji, plus pachinko operating under a separate legal construction. National police guidance states that playing at online casinos is illegal for people in Japan even when the operator is licensed overseas.

Placing bets on an online casino from Japan can be a criminal offence. The National Police Agency estimated that roughly 3.37 million people in Japan had used illegal online casinos, with annual wagers of about ¥1.2 trillion, and a series of high-profile arrests followed. The idea that offshore play is a legal grey zone is a misconception.

On 18 June 2025 the House of Councillors passed an amendment to the Basic Act on Countermeasures against Gambling Addiction. The amendment explicitly prohibits establishing or operating online casino sites and apps aimed at people in Japan, and it also prohibits transmitting information that directs users to such sites. Sources describe examples such as app-store listings, social media links, advertisements, Japanese-language access, and "top 10" comparison pages with affiliate links.

The amendment itself carries no new standalone criminal penalties and instead gives authorities and platforms firmer grounds to remove content and block access, with the existing Criminal Code remaining the basis for prosecuting players and operators. Japan has also asked foreign jurisdictions that license online casinos to help block access from Japan.

Legal gambling is restricted to government-sanctioned channels. Public sports betting and lottery tickets can be purchased through official operators and, in some cases, official online accounts. These are state-controlled products and not casino gambling.

Japan has authorised integrated resorts with land-based casinos. MGM Osaka, the first, is reported to be due to open in late 2030. These resorts will be regulated and tightly controlled, and they do not make online casino play legal.

The legal gambling age differs by product, generally 20 for public sports (reduced to 18 for some channels in recent years) and 18 or 20 for lotteries, so players should check the rules of each official body. Government campaigns stress that offshore casinos carry risks such as no consumer protection, account seizures, fraud and personal data exposure.

Players who have lost money to unauthorised online casinos have limited recourse. Tax treatment of winnings also differs by source, and players should consult the National Tax Agency or a professional.

blucca.com does not list, compare, rate or link to online casinos for visitors in Japan, in line with the 2025 amendment. This page is educational and does not encourage unlawful play. Content is editorial and makes no promise of winnings.

Support is available through local Mental Health and Welfare Centers, specialised medical institutions for gambling addiction, and groups such as Gamblers Anonymous Japan. Please seek help early if gambling is causing harm.

Affiliate disclosure: blucca.com may earn a commission if you register with a licensed operator through some links. This never changes our licensing checks. 18+ or the legal age in your location. Gambling carries risk and is not a way to make money. If gambling is a problem, seek help.