Understanding the legal landscape of online casino sites in Japan
The legality of online gaming in Japan can be a complex subject with various laws in place. However here at Strafe, we’ll keep it as simple as possible to understand to ensure you keep your online gaming on the right side of the law.
Within Japan, online gambling is only legal through government-operated websites for specific sports such as horse, motorbike, and bike racing along with lotteries. Local corporations cannot provide online casino games. However, there are no specific laws against playing licensed casinos that are operated offshore. It may be that some of the offshore casino sites limit games for their Japanese customers, however, with a whole world of some of the biggest names available to choose from, you shouldn’t have a problem selecting a casino that is right for you.
Casino comparison in Japan - Criteria for choosing the best
There are several areas to assess when registering for a new casino, and here, at Strafe, we focus on what we consider to be absolutely key points when choosing the best betting sites and casinos to sign up for. And our casino list for Japan follows this same process;
- Security
- Licensing
- Game selection
- Bonuses
- Customer support
- Usability
- Payment methods
Security
Always choose a casino that has the security of its member's personal and financial information as a top priority. The top online casino sites that you can access from Japan will offer SSL or TLS encryption technologies ensuring the highest level of security for their players.
Licensing and regulation
Make certain that the casino site you sign up for is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority. This will ensure you are not breaking any laws by playing on unregulated sites. It will also ensure the site that you are playing on is fair and offers players protection as it has to adhere to a strict legal framework.
Game selection at online casinos in Japan
Now the main reason you join an online gaming site; is to play games. Therefore it's worth taking a look around the site at the current game titles before signing up. Whether it's classic table games such as Blackjack and Roulette or the immersive live dealer experience. It could be the lure of the slots, or maybe you want to try your luck at the favorites Pachinko and Mahjong.
This will be subjective to each individual so make sure the depth and variety including your favorite gaming providers are visible on the site. And they should be as some of the world's top casinos are accessible to play from Japan. In fact, a very poor and limited games library could be a red flag to the legitimacy of the casino.
The competition is fierce in the online casino industry and often many of the top operators will have similar game selections. As a result, one way they can differentiate themselves and grab your attention is through their promotions and bonuses.
Typically, the welcome offer is the most lucrative bonus available, and it's a staple for many of the best online casinos in Japan. However, there are also reload offers that cater to existing members, along with cashback, free spins, and deposit matches.
While some casinos provide VIP and loyalty programs, meeting the eligibility criteria can sometimes be challenging unless you're a high roller, so be sure the returns are worth the investment required when it comes to these types of programs.
With so much at stake, quite literally, it's vital to examine all the available promotions and bonuses, as promotional offers are often the only way to play for free and minimize the amount of money you could lose. After all, often your bankroll is bolstered by casino credits, which are not as heartbreaking to lose as real money.
Customer support
Not as thrilling as bonuses and games but just as important. The ability to be able to contact somebody in customer support regarding any issues you may encounter will improve your overall experience when playing.
Live chat is the top of the class when it comes to customer support, however, contact forms, emails, and phone numbers are also more than acceptable. It might be that a comprehensive FAQ section clears up your query. But if it doesn’t, then being able to contact a real person that can offer a resolution within an acceptable amount of time is paramount.
Usability of the best online casino in Japan
The casino site should have decent load times and minimal crashes. It should also feel intuitive to use and each different section should be easy to navigate. There are few things more frustrating than boasting a catalog of over 500 titles whilst having such a poor filtering system and layout that makes it almost impossible to sift through to find the game you want.
Payment methods
The casino sites that we rank highly and recommend will normally have a variety of payment methods that you can use to deposit and withdraw, even if only via digital currencies. We will also review the time it takes to withdraw and ensure that any fees are minimal.
Online casino games in Japan: What to expect
It's no surprise that some of the most popular casino games to play are online slots in Japan. There are hundreds to choose from, they use colorful graphics, sound effects, and animations that, let's face it, appeal to the majority of us. Some of the most popular slots are based on popular anime or manga franchises, such as Attack on Titan or One Piece.
For those who prefer games that involve a level of skill and strategy, there are table games. The big operators will offer the classics such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. Due to its popularity, Pachinko is now also offered as an online game, however, we would question the amount of skill compared to luck required to be successful in this game.
Live casino experiences are now being offered by more and more operators. This immersive type of gameplay allows you to experience sitting at a dealer's table as close to an actual casino as you can get from the comfort of your own home. Bliss.
Another popular game that has been adapted to play online in Japan is Mahjong. A tile-based game that requires skill and strategy, it is often played with friends and family, and now many of the best online casinos in Japan offer versions of the game to play.
The best online casino options
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30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE + 30 Sweepstake Coins
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Get $5 extra in FREE play
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7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
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Payment methods at the best casinos in Japan
Here at Strafe, we take a look into all the nitty-gritty details of the casinos that we review including the payment methods. Although there may be some discrepancies between the different providers, in general, the payment methods that are accepted include the following:
1. Credit and debit cards
These are widely accepted and offer a convenient way to deposit and withdraw funds. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa and Mastercard.
2. E-wallets
E-wallets allow for secure and fast transactions with some offering instant deposits and withdrawals. Alongside the popular wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller some online casinos also accept Japanese-specific e-wallets like Line Pay and PayPay.
3. Bank transfers
A traditional banking option might be more desirable to high rollers, however, processing times are longer compared to the other options listed.
It's worth noting that not all payment methods may be available for both deposits and withdrawals, and some may come with fees or processing times. So ensure you carefully review your payment options in the first instance.
Discover the best casino apps in Japan
As previously mentioned, being in Japan means you have access to all the best online casino operators around the world, and with that comes some of the best sites. But in 2023 you want more than a shiny website. You need a casino that fits in with your lifestyle and that often means fitting in your pocket. Yes, we’re talking about your mobile devices.
Most of these casinos will have an app available that is free to download on both IOS and Android. And there are some real plus points to an app; you can often personalize it to your favorite games, they have all the features and gameplay from the main site plus they are super convenient. But it might be the case that you consider they take up too much memory or maybe your favorite site just doesn’t have one. In these cases, we’ve found that a mobile-optimized site is just as good and actually doesn’t take up the space that an app does.
Top tips for real money online casinos in Japan
Hopefully, our casino comparison tool has enabled you to find the best online casinos in Japan for you. So what next? Well, now we share some of our expert tips to help you elevate your gameplay. However, it must be stressed that there is never a guarantee of winning, but, whether you are trying your luck on the best sites for esports gambling, top casino operators, or sportsbook, our expert tips will help you get the most from your gameplay:
This helps you to play for a longer period, basically whatever your total budget is, each bet you make should be around 1-2% of this and no more.
Use the bonuses and free spins
The free spins and bonuses are how you can gain the most from the casino for the least outlay. So collect them and use them and ensure to read any terms attached to them.
Choose games with a lower house edge
This gives a better return to the player meaning that you may see a win more often than a game with a higher house edge.
Wagering can sometimes be up to 50x before a withdrawal can be made, so it's really important to keep track so that you don’t wager more than you need to. For example, if you are required to wager your winnings 50x and you won ¥1,659 then you would need to wager ¥82,950 before you could withdraw your winnings. Just a simple tally chart with pen and paper or a clicker will suffice.
If you are having a difficult day and are taking the losses hard then it is best to call it a day. Remember to stick to your strategy and bankroll and not let your latest loss deviate you from your path.
It is better to play with lower amounts on more bets compared to big amounts on a small number of bets. Although the payouts associated will be smaller this method will give you a better chance of being successful in the longer term.
Conclusion: Guiding you to the best online casino sites in Japan
Although online gaming sites are not legal within Japan, we’ve explained that the restriction is placed on businesses that operate within Japan and not on the players. This means you can play at an offshore site as long as it is regulated and licensed.
Now you know how we review the different sites, you are able to dive deeper into these reviews to find something that suits you and your gaming style and needs as we know that this is different for everyone. And remember to use Strafe to keep up to date on all the latest developments and casino news in Japan.
Our favorite bonuses on offer for casino gamers
1.
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30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE + 30 Sweepstake Coins
Min. Deposit: 9.99
3.
Get $5 extra in FREE play
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7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
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Best online casino in Japan FAQ
🧑⚖️Is it legal to play online casinos in Japan?
The law in Japan can seem a little complex when it comes to online gambling. However, in this latest article, we have kept it simple, outlining all the legalities you need to know, ensuring your gaming stays on the right side of the law. And we update it regularly with any new changes so be sure to bookmark this page so you can keep up to date.
🏆 What are the best casinos to play in Japan?
Here at Strafe, we review hundreds of the top online casino sites and the best esports betting sites in Japan. Our reviews are thorough, covering everything from bonuses to customer support and usability. Carried out by a team of industry experts our latest review leaves no stone unturned.
❓ What are the best games to play at online casinos in Japan?
One of our favorite parts of the job here at Strafe is reviewing the different games available. There are so many genres, titles, and gaming providers to choose from. The casinos are constantly adding to their catalogs, so if you want to stay ahead of the curve on what's trending right now then take a look at our latest article and keep this page bookmarked.
🧑⚖️ How do I know if an online casino is regulated in Japan?
Our reviews and guides cover all aspects of the legality of the casinos - from licensing and ownership to whether it's legal in your country or state of residence. We update our pages regularly with any new details that emerge so ensure you bookmark the page to always stay informed on the latest developments.
💳 What payment methods are accepted in online casinos in Japan?
Our reviews at Strafe include all the details you need to know regarding the different payment methods accepted by the different operators. You can learn about processing times for both deposits and withdrawals along with any fees that may be incurred.
