Launching an online casino in Japan
Japan is a large, wealthy gaming audience and a closed market for online casino. What the Penal Code and the 2025 revision say, why an overseas licence does not help, and what that means for a brand. Checked on 27 September 2026.
Is online casino legal in Japan?
No. Gambling is a crime under Japan's Penal Code outside the forms specific laws allow — public horse, bicycle, boat and motorcycle racing, lotteries and, in future, casinos in licensed integrated resorts. Online casino is not among them, and playing on an overseas site is illegal for the player too.
Since 25 September 2025 the revised Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures also bans establishing and operating online casino sites and apps and steering people in Japan to them — including sites that are legal where they are licensed. It targets promotion as well: online advertising, social-media posts, affiliate rankings and celebrity endorsements of online casinos.
| Japan | |
|---|---|
| Status | Online casino illegal under the Penal Code; operating and promoting online casinos banned by the revised gambling addiction act since 25 September 2025 (source) |
| Legal gambling | Public racing, lotteries, sports toto; casinos only in licensed integrated resorts, none open yet |
| Currency | Japanese yen (JPY) |
| Language | Japanese |
What does this mean for a launch on WW Games?
An online casino for players in Japan is not an option, and marketing one to them is now an offence in itself. Which markets a brand may serve is set by its licence and the law of each market — licensing is the operator's responsibility. WW Games does not hold or sublicense a gambling licence, and can put you in touch with licensing providers.
Brands that serve several countries should exclude Japan from targeting, payments and advertising, including affiliate traffic. In Asia, the Philippines licenses online casino for its own players; India has banned it.
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Japan questions
Is online casino legal in Japan?
No. It is illegal under the Penal Code for operators and players alike, and since 25 September 2025 the revised gambling addiction act also bans operating online casino sites and apps.
Can an offshore-licensed casino serve Japanese players?
No. The 2025 revision expressly covers steering users in Japan to overseas online casinos, even ones that are legal where they are licensed.
Can online casinos advertise in Japan?
No. Since September 2025 posting online advertising for online casinos, including on social media and in affiliate rankings, is prohibited.
Pick the markets that are open
Tell us where your audience is; we will map the launch to the markets you can serve and introduce you to licensing providers if you need one.