Online Casinos in Japan

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View this page in Japanese: 日本のオンラインカジノ

Japan is not exactly a hotbed for gaming action. Admittedly, you will not see any online casinos in Japan, but you may still perceive the glimmers of a rather brighter future. Here, we will examine what options do Japanese players have to wager for real money and try to navigate the rather intricate latticework of legislation.

As a legal grey area, there are many uncertainties pertaining to gambling within the country, and we are here to examine them up close. We look at how blanket bans don’t stifle innovation in the sector, and how a much-debated piece of legislation may bring around a revolution in the Japanese online casino sector.

Methods of Playing Safely Online

The first thing you’ll need to do before you can start playing at any online casino is deciding on the type of device that you wish to play on. The 2 main categories here are desktop computers or mobile devices – tablets and smartphones.

The obvious benefit when it comes to playing on a desktop computer is that you’re playing on a far more powerful device than its mobile counterpart. They have more powerful graphics cards, more ram, and usually a faster and more reliable internet connection – all of which helps to provide you with a generally better gaming experience. However, this does mean that you’ll have to be tied down to a desk in order for you to enjoy online gaming, and here’s where the major advantage of mobile devices come in – mobility.

If you choose to play on a mobile device, the “world is your oyster”, as you’ll be able to play anytime and from anywhere in the world – assuming you have an active internet connection. If this is for you, you’ll also have to consider which method you’ll use to play online – either via an mobile app or straight from the browser.

Casino Apps Vs Mobile Browser

As with most good things, there are always choices for the end user. The same is true when it comes to online casinos in Japan:

  • The download option – Do you prefer better graphics and smoother gameplay? If so, you should always choose to download the dedicated app directly onto your device. Although this may take up some precious storage space, the download process itself is fairly straight forward.;
  • Mobile Browser – Mobile Browser – If however, you’re not that picky when it comes to the quality of the visuals, and would rather dive straight into the game, then the browser-based version is the one for you.

Top Licensed Real Money Online Casinos in Japan

Choosing a top-level operator is never an easy task, but it’s most certainly very important. This is made even harder in Japan due to the fact that there aren’t any real open conversations about the more delicate issues of online gaming – such as addiction. For this reason, we make sure that the online casinos in Japan that we recommend are ones that always have the player’s best interest at heart – safety.

How We Vet Operators

The fact that operators are not bound to uphold an honour code and pertain to the law in a certain country is no reason for anyone to try and cheat, although some do. That is why the best gaming places online will always strive to introduce the best gaming practices in Japan, a country that is still on the way of elaborating on its own industry.

With this in mind, we have very specific expectations, and rather high at that, from operators. License, good track record of handling customers and problems, and external audits are on our list of what we expect from the best online casinos in Japan, which are technically offshore after all.

Picking the Right Game for Yourself

After you have decided what device to play from, it’s time to pick the type of games you prefer to play. The majority of our recommended casinos come with a wealth of options. Understandably, innovative video slots and table classics will constitute the bulk of the offer. It’s not unlikely to see particular Asian-themed games that are specifically prepared for the Japanese audience, whether it is a slot or a version of video poker.
Another important aspect of your casino gaming experience is to make sure that you are picking the titles with the best return-to-player (RTP) rates. It’s always worth looking around for the games that will bring you the best possible returns. We generally recommend sticking to the best-yielding titles, such as:

  • Video poker;
  • French Roulette;
  • Card Games

Video slots could be equally beneficial to your bankroll, but they also have a higher volatility rate, meaning that you cannot add incrementally to your funds as you would with other titles and your winnings are, more or less dependent, on luck rather than skill.

Online Bonuses for Japanese Casino Players

Just as with other offshore operators, the online casinos in Japan that make the cut will always keep you entertained, and your wallet plumped with a respectable variety of bonuses. The choice is yours, and you may pick whatever you wish. But first, let’s examine the options to choose from:

  • Sign Up & Welcome Bonuses ­ – These are the staples of any casino out there, and you’ll likely find yourself choosing the ones that best suits you from an ocean of offers. You ought to be aware that most welcome packages are of incremental nature, meaning that you may get slightly better rewards the more you deposit.
  • Freebies – Casinos will always strive to entertain you in all ways imaginable, and this includes giving you freebies such as free spins. If these are up for grab, always take them, as long as you’ve read the fine details.
  • Bring your friends on, too – The refer a friend bonus is also a popular way to get some additional cash and to share in the joy of gaming. Don’t feel like you are milking your friend. Quite on the contrary, you will both receive a bonus, and your acquaintance can easily dovetail this bonus with a welcome offer, for an overall great leg-up in online gaming.

Tips for Online Deposits

Deposit methods is another area that you’ll need put in some time in order to know which option is best suited for you. The good news is that as long as an operator bears our seal of approval, you can rest assured that all the payment methods are safe to use, and it’s just a matter of choosing which one you prefer most.

There are 2 clear indications of an outstanding casino when it comes to payment:

  • A true versatility of the options, including debit/credit cards, e-wallets, coupons, checks, safe pre-paid cards, and mobile payment solutions;
  • Instantaneous processing times so you don’t have to hang around too long to get your money

If you are looking for a way to completely protect yourself from the sticky paws of ill-meaning third parties, we advise you to choose your operator wisely. This is the most important prerequisite for a future of gaming without any qualms.

Another way to protect your deposits is to choose an e-wallet. E-wallets provide you with an additional layer of security, which shields your financial data. There may be only specific e-wallets allowable at individual operators, so we recommend that you carefully examine the banking options available to you.

Overview of Japanese Gaming Laws and Legislation

As we have said, gaming in Japan is illegal. In that case, why are there online casinos in Japan? Well, the truth is that they are not exactly the country’s own established operators. Rather, they tend to be operating in neighboring regions and just advertise themselves to Japanese gamers.

With this in mind, you see how regulations are not always as stern. Nevertheless, the current laws prohibit gaming dens to operate on the territory of the country, which makes the whole ordeal a rather different undertaking, to begin with.

However, there is a ray of hope is within sight. The government has voted in favor in 2018 of a project to welcome a number of casino resorts. Yes, these are brick-and-mortar venues, but it is quite likely that the adoption of landbased properties will spur the creation of authentic Japanese gaming dens online.

The public in Japan, however, is slightly opposed to seeing gaming become a more significant part of their country’s culture. Still, enough grassroots movement exists to create the need for that.

Despite the pro-forma ban, it is quite easy to start your gaming career at a venue such as an offshore gaming den. The best online casinos in Japan, as we said, are abroad. As long as they have been properly licensed, you may press ahead with your gaming proclivities without worrying that the law will come after you. Certainly not at a time, when the Prime Minister’s cabinet openly endorses brick-and-mortar shops.

Sites to Avoid

In seeking to establish the credentials of trustworthy casinos, we have also found a number of casinos you may want to avoid. Most commonly, casinos that are not worth you while, and more, even threaten any investment you make will be recognized by their lack of certain traits reliable casinos have and advertise. The list includes, but is not limited to:

  • Customer support available 24/7;
  • License from an authorize independent body;
  • Variety of payment options;
  • Spotless reputation;

You will notice that when it comes to operators who have decided to opt for shortcuts, even the selection of products will be minimum, which should raise a red flag. There is an easy way to check a casino – whether you trust our judgment or conduct your own research, you can always tell the bad apples from the rest.