Most Popular Bookies in Japan

Japanese punters bet on various types of sports which are broadcast domestically and in other territories. Sports bets are based on the overall score. An expert guide comes in handy for those who are new to betting so they can understand how everything works. Here's a rundown of sports that Japanese players love to wager on.

Baseball

While most countries major in football, Japan has a passion for baseball. The game can be likened to American baseball except for a few discrepancies. For instance, Japanese baseball is relatively smaller. The field and strike zone are smaller too. Usually, a match ends in a tie if the contenders level with three extra innings after a standard nine.

Japanese punters love to wager on local baseball matches like Puro Yakyu and international leagues such as the US Major League Baseball. The Japanese baseball league has a huge number of fans.

Boat Racing (kyotei)

Motorboat racing, which was introduced by Americans, has been around since 1952. Between 1899 and 1995, Ryoichi Sasakawa, the industrialist, set the game in motion when he reached the official level. In 1980, the boat race was designated for betting under the Japanese government.

The proceeds are distributed by the Nippon Foundation for philanthropy. The game involves male or female riders taking six-speed boats on three laps around a 600-meter circuit. Each rider is randomly assigned a boat. Boat racing bets are all about predicting a winner or the top three racers.

Football

Football is a favorite game in Japan, with 18 soccer clubs attracting sports betting actions. Japanese players also follow international professional leagues like the EPL and global events, including FIFA World Cup.

Japan has a long-standing tradition of betting even though it had been outlawed. The first instance of betting started in the 6th century. It was a popular leisure activity among the rulers of ancient Japan. Emperor Nihon Shoki gambled regularly in his royal residence. The earliest betting regulation ruled out different types of betting.

Those who disregarded the rule were whipped and punished. In the 8th century, a dice game (ban-sugoroku) that mimics backgammon was popularized by Emperor Tenmu. Literally translated, the game means double-six. But the game was officially boycotted when Empress Jito took over the throne. Then Bakuto emerged during her rule and is today known as Kyoto.

As more gamblers joined the bandwagon, violence and other antisocial activities prevailed in the country. The rulers had to intervene by establishing nine statutes to prohibit betting in the 13th century. Samurais were forbidden to indulge in games of chance in the Edo period. Only the elite samurais could gamble and drink socially.

Some forms of gambling were legalized in the early 1700s. But two centuries later, the Penal Code of 1907 prohibited all types of gambling. However, the government had to revive the lottery system after the Second World War to boost the economy that had been hit hard.

Betting nowadays in Japan

The federal government oversees all forms of horse racing through the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Betting on horse races is a bit complicated as only a few foreign horses are involved in the competitions. The restrictions are mainly due to the protectionist guidelines that prevent racing quality from rising above certain levels.

Gamblers who wish to play the ponies can only do so through JRA, which operates tracks in Tokyo, Kansai, Honshu, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. The JRA also runs numerous off-track betting establishments known as WINS. Punters can watch races on TV and bet via the internet or cell phones.

Betting on motorcycle racing, asphalt speedway, and powerboat racing is promoted throughout the country. Wagering tickets are sold in booths and circuits. In addition, online sports betting sites in Japan allow players to put their stakes on the web or mobile.

The sites are mobile-friendly, so they give the same experience as PC interfaces. This means one can make a wagering deposit straight from their comfort zone. Most punters use Safari and Chrome browsers. A few sportsbooks are downloadable on smartphones and tablets. Users access bets on popular world sports from these platforms.

Attempts to legalize casinos started in the 2000s and gained momentum from 2015 to 2018. The Casino Administration committee established in 2020 is responsible for issuing and revoking casino licenses. The licenses are only available for three areas: Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. The 2016 betting legislation has had a great impact on casino administration. Not only does it prevent the establishment of casinos in Japan, but it also prohibits slot machines and blackjack.

When lawmakers revised the 2016 gambling rules, they wanted to provide a basis for permitting resort-based casinos. They passed the Integrated Resorts casino bill, which is still valid. However, it may take a while for operators to open casinos because there's a need for further regulation.

Japan is home to a huge population of avid gamblers. There's a lucrative market for international casinos in Japan, given that it is a popular tourist destination. Moreover, the country has one of the strongest GDPs globally and an Avante Garde infrastructure.

Betting legislation in Japan

Sports betting in Japan is partially legalized. Only domestic sports can be wagered on in live casinos, i.e., motorcycle, keirin (cycling), powerboat racing, local football leagues, and horse racing. Just like the lottery, all forms of gambling in Japan are offered on a pari-mutuel pool basis.

Chapter 23 of the Japan penal code prohibits standard online sports betting on unauthorized sites. Regardless of the regulation, many local players place their wagers on offshore sportsbooks. Technically speaking, overseas gambling sites are not illegal. They are regulated by other jurisdictions. But wagering with an unlicensed bookie is risky in a country where betting is not allowed.

Betting is subject to taxation in Japan, even though the laws seem intricate. Winnings on horse racing exceeding 500,000 per year are taxed. When calculating the taxable amount, the cost of lost bets against wins must not be deducted. Since there's a narrow range of legal sports betting, other games of chance are not mentioned in the tax code. The federal government doesn't license online sportsbooks. Hence, operators hardly withhold taxes.

Why are online sportsbooks so popular in Japan?

Since land-based gambling is partially allowed in Japan, punters are left with finite options to bet on. However, online sportsbooks offer various sporting events, leagues, and matches for wagering. These sites provide competitive odds and irresistible promotions for new players. More and more bookmakers are offering betting in the Japanese language, making it easier for local players to try their luck over the internet.

What is the best sport betting sites for the Japanese?

An online bookie can be rated in terms of security, customer support, mobile optimization, payment reliability, and diversity of bets. Customer reviews can also tell the reputation of a site.

Where can one find the best odds for sports betting in Japan?

This site features a list of top bookmakers along with the best odds in the market. This information has been gathered by experts who've spent hours of research, filtering out the best odds.

Are Japanese sportsbooks safe?

The best bookmakers for Japanese players are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities. A good site safeguards user data with technologies such as SSL/TLS of the latest HTTPS.