Japan has a complicated relationship with gambling. Gambling is officially prohibited by the Japanese penal code, but gambling opportunities are everywhere. From pachinko to sports betting and lotto, there are plenty of options. This discrepancy between law and reality can be explained by the fact that gambling, except for pachinko, is directly regulated by state or local authorities. Addressing the legal problems of gambling required extensive interpretation and adjustment of the law.
Finding the right sports betting site in Japan isn’t as easy as you might think. Unfortunately, many of the brands advertised during European football matches do not actually serve Japan. The same goes for watching a Major League Baseball game. This is because American betting brands are mainly only for US states and not Japan.
Sports betting is a popular form of gambling in Japan, but it’s important to note that the country has strict laws regulating gambling. In general, only certain types of sports betting are legal in Japan, such as boat racing, horse racing, bicycle racing, football (soccer) matches and also tennis.
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on in Japan. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) oversees most of the country’s horse racing events, which are held throughout the year. The JRA races attract large crowds, and many people place bets on their favorite horses or jockeys.
Another popular sport to bet on in Japan is football (soccer). The J-League is the country’s top professional football league, and many people enjoy betting on matches featuring popular teams like Kashima Antlers and Yokohama F. Marinos.
In Japan, there are several ways to place bets on sports events. One common method is to visit a physical betting station, which can be found at many racetracks and stadiums. Another option is to use an online sportsbook, although it’s important to choose a reputable and licensed site to ensure that your personal and financial information is safe and secure.
So, will Sport Betting be any more popular in 2023 when compared with previous years?
Japanese authorities have been taking steps to expand legal sports betting in the country. In 2018, a law was passed allowing for the establishment of land-based casinos and the expansion of other forms of gambling, such as sports betting. Since then, several large gaming companies have expressed interest in entering the Japanese market and have been working to secure licenses and partnerships.
The results achieved by the Japanese national team in the World Cup of 2022 increased the interest in sports betting by Japanese players. However, it’s important to note that sports betting is still heavily regulated in Japan, and only certain types of sports events are eligible for betting. Overall, it remains to be seen how much sports betting will grow in popularity in Japan in the coming years.
What are the tools suggesting?
Tools like Google trends cannot predict the future, but we can look at the past to at least analyse the trend. Here you can see the trend for sport betting (スポーツベット) in Japan – (Google Trends). Other tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and also Japanese betting sites like https://www.xn--24-fi4arbez1j4a3z.com/ also shows positive trend lines for sport betting in Japan.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that gambling can have serious consequences, and it’s important to gamble responsibly and within your means. If you have concerns about gambling addiction or problematic behavior, please seek professional help and resources.
