The First Japanese Casino and Gambling in the Country

In the next paragraphs of this guide, you can find out more about the current gambling laws in Japan and more details about the first Japan casino that is expected to start operating in the country. How is gambling regulated and how this new casino resort will function? Check out below.

Japan Gambling Laws

When it comes to gambling, Japan is one of the countries where it is heavily regulated. What you need to know is that gambling in Japan is not allowed. There are just a few exceptions. However, things are starting to change as currently there is an attempt on behalf of the government to allow the first casino resort to open doors and start accepting visitors.

The topic of Japanese gambling intrigues lots of people and entrepreneurs around the globe. Although the country seems to be extremely conservative when it comes to gambling, still some sorts of activities are allowed.

Therefore, we may say that gambling is not foreign to many people in Japan. However, Japanese people do like gambling and this is the reason why the eventual opening of a big casino resort might be an extremely attractive endeavour.

According to the Japanese gambling laws, which are very strict, most forms of gaming activities in the country are not allowed. It is the country’s Criminal Code chapter 23 that banns most forms of gambling in Japan.

This piece of legislation is the major one according to which gambling activities in Japan have been regulated. Nevertheless, the gambling laws in Japan allow only several forms of gambling activities. They, however, are severely controlled and can be offered only in licensed and specialised establishments.

Japanese Gambling – What is Allowed and What is Not?

Unlike in other countries around the globe, most gambling activities in Japan are banned. Most casino games are not allowed. There are no land-based casinos where you can play the top-ranked casino slots or sit on roulette or blackjack tables.

Nevertheless, not everything is forbidden. Japanese players have the chance to play some popular games or enjoy betting. Here are some of the options that players in the country can legally enjoy.

• Pachinko – This is one of the most popular gambling games in Japan and many people adore it. Pachinko is similar to slot machines but there is one significant difference. Unlike in many slots, the bets at Pachinko are rather low. The idea behind this is to protect players from losing too much money.Yet another characteristic to outline is that in Pachinco you are offered extra balls, instead of spins. Besides, your in-game winnings can be converted to other balls or bonus features in the game.

  Mind that cash prizes from gambling are forbidden in Japan, therefore, your Pachinko winnings can be exchanged for cigarettes, chocolate, pencils and other stuff.

• Horse Racing – Among the most popular sports, horse betting is one of the options that bettors in Japan can enjoy. Betting on horses is extremely popular in the country. Japanese gamblers can place wagers on top horse races in specialised locations.
• Motorboat Racing – Betting on motorboats is yet another popular gambling activity and many people in Japan enjoy it a lot. This is yet another sport that may not be so popular in other countries but is highly appreciated in Japan.
• Keirin Bicycle Racing – This is the other type of sport that you can bet on in Japan. The Keirin cycling races provoke great interest among people in Japan who often like to place wagers on the competitors.
• Shinko Kuji, or Toto – In its essence, this is placing bets on soccer. Japanese players can bet on a specific team for the correct outcome of the match. What is interesting about Shinko Kuji is that players can buy tickets both in land-based stores and online.

Online Gambling in Japan

There are no specific gambling laws related to online gaming activities. However, you need to know that Japan-based casino sites are not authorised. Nevertheless, Japanese people are not prohibited from accessing online casinos, creating accounts and gambling.

At the same time, the only betting website in Japan is state-sponsored by the Japanese Racing Association. However, only pari-mutuel betting is allowed and this is the major reason why there are no other laws related to online gambling.

Players in Japan can also buy lottery tickets online, which is also a legal thing. Online lottery in the country was legalised by the Internal Affairs Ministry in 2018. The lotteries, though, are strictly regulated by the local governments.

Land-Based Gambling

Most of the legal forms of gambling activities in Japan are land-based. This includes the gambling rooms for Pachinko and the stores where you can bet on horse races, motorboat races and soccer. However, the latest propositions for changing gambling laws may soon start changing the environment.

There are no land-based casinos in Japan. The Pachinko rooms offer only this type of game. Currently, you will not be able to legally access a casino in the form that is known in many countries around the globe – with lots of slot machines, blackjack and roulette tables or poker lobbies.

Nevertheless, the latest changes in gambling legislation in Japan may lead to the opening of the first casino resort in the country. The opinions are controversial, though, as some support the idea, while others don’t.

The Osaka Casino Resort

Recently, the governing authorities in Japan have decided to give the green light to build the first casino resort in Osaka. The complex is expected to cost $8.1 billion and is supposed to be built by 2029.

Its goal will be to boost domestic and international tourism seriously. The whole casino complex will also include hotels, a conference centre as well as a shopping mall, a museum and even a ferry terminal.

In charge of the investment are MGM Resorts International – a popular US casino operator, and the local Japanese Orix Corp. Each of the two companies will own 40% of the stakes of the resort. The other 20% will be split between another 20 companies.

Conclusion – The Future of Japanese Gambling

Although gambling in Japan is regulated strictly, people in the country have the chance to enjoy some really attractive gambling games. The news around the first Japanese casino to open doors to visitors intrigues many players. And it may lead to a new era in the Japanese gambling environment.

FAQ

We have also decided to include a brief section containing the most frequently asked questions. To provide you with even more information on the topic, we have provided brief answers. Thus, you can check more details related to gambling in Japan and the first casino that is expected to open.