Top-rated Sports Betting Sites in Japan 2024

While other countries provide typical betting odds like American odds and Hong Kong odds, Japan doesn't have standard odd formats for sports betting. Most sites use decimal odds. Parlay bets are the acceptable forms of sports wagering, whereby players predict two or more point spreads, under/over wins, or money lines.

With fixed odds, bettors have many options to choose from, e.g., the number of touchdowns to be scored in NFL Super Bown and individual game results. Online, Japanese players bet on a broad range of games from NBA, NHL, NFL, rugby, cricket, horse racing, football, and baseball. Boxing, eSports, and MMA are also available at online bookies.

BettingRanker provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to bet on sports in Japan. From understanding odds and bet types to navigating through different sports markets, our guide ensures that you're equipped with the knowledge to place informed bets.

• Choosing the Right Platform: Look for top sports betting sites in Japan, like the ones recommended by BettingRanker. They provide a curated list ensuring safety, trustworthiness, and an excellent user experience.
• Registration: Once you've picked your preferred site from the list, the next step is creating an account. These platforms are user-friendly, especially for beginners.
• Deposit Funds: Online gambling Japan platforms often offer multiple payment methods. Pick one that suits you and fund your account.
• Understand the Sports: If you’re new to Japanese football betting sites or Japan horse racing betting, take some time to understand the sports, teams, and players. This knowledge can significantly enhance your betting experience.
• Place Your Bets: Navigate through the sports betting sites Japan has to offer and place your bets. Look for real-time and in-play betting options to make the experience more interactive.

The Land of the Rising Sun has a rich sporting culture, intertwined with centuries-old traditions and contemporary global influences. As a result, the sports betting scene in Japan offers a unique blend of traditional and modern sports. Here are some of the most popular sports that punters love to bet on in Japan:

• Horse Racing (競馬, Keiba): One of the most popular betting sports in Japan, horse racing has a long and storied history in the country. Numerous tracks host races, and events like the Japan Cup have international recognition. Japan horse racing betting is a favorite pastime for both seasoned punters and casual fans.
• Football (サッカー, Sakka): While football was introduced to Japan relatively recently compared to other sports, its popularity has skyrocketed. The J-League, Japan’s top professional football league, has a vast following. Japanese football betting sites are frequently visited by fans placing bets on local and international matches.
• Baseball (野球, Yakyū): Arguably the most popular sport in Japan, baseball games draw enormous crowds. Betting on baseball is also a significant activity, with many punters analyzing teams, players, and game strategies.
• Sumo Wrestling (相撲, Sumō): Deeply rooted in Japan’s culture, Sumo is more than just a sport; it's a tradition. Six major tournaments are held annually, drawing large viewership and intense betting activity. For many, betting on Sumo is both a pastime and a cultural experience.
• Pachinko: While not a sport in the traditional sense, Pachinko is a type of mechanical game that can be likened to vertical pinball. It holds immense popularity in Japan, and while the primary aim is entertainment, many participants trade in their winning balls for prizes, making it a quasi-gambling activity.
• Motorbike Racing (オートレース, Ōtoreesu): Another sport with a significant betting scene, motorbike racing in Japan has its niche audience. Tracks are dotted around the country, and races are thrilling, attracting those who enjoy the adrenaline rush of high-speed sports.
• Boat Racing (競艇, Kyōtei): Boat racing, or Kyōtei, is a popular water sport in Japan where speedboats race in a circuit. Punters enjoy betting on their favorite racers, making it another exciting betting option in the country.
• Basketball: With an emerging professional basketball scene, Japan has seen increased interest in the sport. Betting on basketball matches, both domestic and international, has grown in recent years.
• Tennis: Tennis tournaments, both domestic and international, garner attention in Japan. The sport's simplicity and individual talent showcase make it a hit for betting enthusiasts.

While these sports represent the crux of Japan's betting landscape, the nation's receptiveness to new sports and events means the betting scene is continually evolving. Whether one is looking for the familiarity of traditional sports like Sumo or the global appeal of football, Japan offers a diverse range of options for every betting enthusiast.

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 which 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.

The 2018 Act for Development of Specified Complex Tourist Facilities Areas allows private companies to provide betting services in certain regions. Also known as the Integrated Resort (IR) Law, it requires IR operators to have a license. It should be noted that Penal Code No. 45 of 1907 bans all types of betting.

Yet, the IR Act explicitly allows gambling by excluding this penal code. Even though no resort casinos have been built yet, plans to establish the first IR casino are underway.

Under the Penal Code Article No. 185, sports betting, Japanese football pools, and the public lottery are run by government corporations. In the same legal context, anyone caught gambling illegally may face a monetary fine of up to ¥500,000, unless the bets are purely for entertainment. According to this law, 'gambling' refers to an activity whereby two or more people predict the outcome of a game of chance or event, hoping to gain a prize (asset or property).

The outcome, in this case, is unpredictable and out of the participants' control. In Section two of Penal Code Article No. 186, anyone who runs a gambling place for a financial return without a permit could face a jail term of between three months and five years. A gambling place can be a physical location or a congregation of gamblers.