Is Online Casino Legal in Japan？

Japan maintains one of the world’s most restrictive gambling frameworks. Outside of a few government-sanctioned exceptions—such as certain lotteries (“takarakuji”), public sports betting (like bicycle racing, horse racing, motorboat racing, and motorcycle racing), and so‑called “pachinko” machines—the operation and promotion of casinos is strictly prohibited under Japanese law. The 1950 Criminal Code makes offering or facilitating casino-like gambling illegal, while the Integrated Resort (IR) Implementation Law allows only a handful of physical, government‑licensed integrated resorts to operate—but does not legalize online casino gaming.

Key Legal Framework

Japan’s fundamental legal restrictions derive from the following statutes:

Criminal Code, Chapter on Offenses Against Public Order: Provides that anyone organizing or assisting in “casts” (i.e., casino-like) gambling can face criminal charges.
Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business: Governs pachinko and related entertainment but explicitly bans using the same frameworks to permit commercial casino-style games, especially via the internet.
Integrated Resort Implementation Law (2018): Authorizes up to three physical integrated resorts (casinos) under strict licensing and oversight, but does not address or legalize any form of online casino activity.

What This Means for Online Casinos

As of August 2025:

Online casinos—sites or apps offering games like slots, blackjack, roulette, poker—are not legally permitted to operate or advertise to Japanese residents.
Japanese players using offshore platforms may technically violate Japanese law. Authorities refrain from cracking down on players themselves but target operators and promoters.
Payment processing for online gambling is also generally considered illicit. Banks and payment services are cautious, often refusing to process transactions tied to gambling, including foreign online casinos.

Risks for Users

Participation in online casino activity from Japan entails several risks:

Legal Exposure: While users rarely face prosecution, the activity remains clearly illegal. Companies enabling such behavior are the prime targets.
Financial Risks: Offshore operators lack legal accountability. Users may face difficulties with deposits, withdrawals, and dispute resolutions.
Security and Fraud: Without local oversight or licensing, offshore platforms operating in a legal grey zone may offer lower transparency, raising the potential for fraudulent practices.

Future Outlook

The Japanese government has shown no signs of legalizing or regulating online casinos. All current legislative energy is directed at enabling a small number of licensed, physical integrated resorts—often tied to tourism and economic revitalization strategies—not digital gambling. It remains highly unlikely that online casinos will become a legitimate option in Japan in the near future.

Summary

Online casinos remain prohibited under Japan’s existing legal framework.
The law only contemplates select physical, government-approved venues—not digital platforms.
Using offshore online casinos may expose Japanese users to financial and legal uncertainties, even if enforcement focuses more on operators than individuals.
No current legislation or serious political momentum exists to change this stance.

If you’d like, I can help draft suggestions for reform, compare to other countries’ approaches, or provide a balanced discussion of the pros and cons of legalized online gambling. Just let me know!