Online Sports Betting Japan Guide & Legal Sportbooks 2024

2024‘s Top 9 Betting Sites Japan Compared & Ranked

There are many reasons to visit JP sports betting sites. Operators give you the opportunity to place wagers on many different sports events from all over the world. Moreover, you also get to benefit from premium features such as in-play markets, cash-out, bonuses, and promotions. Below, we will discuss each of these aspects and more.

Summary of 2024‘s Best JP Sports Betting Sites

There are many factors to take into consideration when judging sports betting Japan sites. Choosing the right operator will have an immense impact on your betting experience.

That’s why we recommend that you do your research into what sites are available to you. This article takes every significant aspect under a microscope and presents it to you in an easy to understand manner.

Below, we take a look at the available betting markets, odds, bonuses, payment methods, and more. Since different players have unique tastes, we aim to show you as many diverse JP sports betting sites as possible. Additionally, all operators featured on this page have proven their value to the general betting community.

They are regulated in respected jurisdictions and have a history of good conduct. You will receive fair treatment and enjoy safe betting at any of them.

Is Online Betting Legal in Japan?

Before we talk about the heart of the matter regarding JP sports betting sites, we would like to touch on something just as important. Specifically, the legality of online gambling in Japan. As of 2024, the Japanese government has not taken steps to regulate the industry or introduce online gambling laws. However, it also has decided not to punish Japanese gamblers who visit betting sites. Japan has a legal grey area, where you are not technically permitted to gamble, but you also won’t be punished if you do.

Given that there are no domestically regulated Japanese online betting sites, JP players will have to make do with foreign operators. There are plenty of international operators licensed and regulated by respectable institutions. Specifically, the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission are some of the more well-known regulatory bodies online.

When you visit websites boasting a UKGC or MGA licence, you can be confident that you will have a safe and fair betting experience. Such operators will not cheat you out of your money and will also provide certain player protections, such as self-exclusion options and deposit limits. You can quickly tell if a betting site is licensed by looking for a licence number or the institution’s logo; both are usually found at the bottom of the page.

The Best Live Betting Sites in Japan

One compelling feature at the top betting sites Japan has to offer is the so-called live betting. At these operators, you will have the opportunity to place bets on your favourite sporting events while the game is still being played. The odds are generated dynamically to reflect the current state of the match. Experienced punters can benefit greatly from this feature, making the most out of the shifting odds. Casual bettors are advised to take special care when betting live, since it can be tricky. Here are the top JP sports betting sites that offer live betting:

During your live betting sessions, some operators will provide you with a live stream of the game. Still, not all bookies have this additional feature. Operators who lack live streaming will provide animated graphs as an alternative so that customers don’t miss out on the experience. Internet technology has brought many innovations to the online gambling scene. You only need to look at the best Japanese live casinos to see how far we have come. Now, you can enjoy a similar premium betting experience at online bookies in Japan.

The Top Japanese Bookie for Cash Out

Another feature comes in the form of cash out. Whenever you make a bet, you will have the option to cash it out early before the game has concluded. Just like in-play betting, cashing out is done at dynamic odds. This means that you can use this to your advantage, provided that you have the skill and knowledge to pull it off. This is an advanced feature and best used with caution. Most of the top betting sites in Japan support cash out to some extent, and you can try your hand at this compelling feature of the best online betting sites JP.

The Best Betting Bonuses for Japanese Gamblers

One more benefit of placing bets online is presented to you in the form of bonuses. Modern JP sports betting sites are ready to offer you a lot of incentives to stick around. Specifically, you can claim free bets, deposit match bonuses, risk-free bets, and more. While promotions vary, they all offer some kind of value. Since there are a plethora of bonuses to choose from, below, we have featured our pick for the best Japanese sports betting promotion available right now:

Those familiar with the best online casino bonus offers in Japan will know that there are specific rules you have to follow when receiving a promotion. For one, there is a wagering and minimum odds requirement that has to be satisfied before you are allowed to cash out the bonus amount. Moreover, a bonus may only be eligible to use on specific events or sports. Many promotions are only available after making a deposit. Such offers usually have low minimum deposit requirements, making them affordable to every type of bettor.

Best Betting Apps in Japan

Nowadays, most sport betting Japan participates in happens on the Internet and from mobile devices, in particular. Mobile betting is becoming increasingly popular among bettors worldwide, and operators are ready to provide them with support for smartphones and tablets. Modern online betting sites JP are fully mobile-compatible, making the process entirely convenient for punters. All the top bookies offer full features to mobile users. Here is our recommended app for Japanese punters:

Depending on the operator in question, you will have access to a dedicated app or a browser-based one. Either option is fully viable for you to enjoy a top-tier betting experience on the go. You will not miss out on any betting markets, bonuses, payment methods, or customer service contact options on a mobile device.

Sports Betting Markets Available to Japanese Punters

JP sports betting sites support a wide range of betting markets. You will be able to place bets on the most popular sports events right now, all from the comfort of your own home. Nowadays, online bookies in Japan cover just about every major and many minor leagues all over the globe. Therefore, no matter your favourite sport, the odds are that your chosen betting site will support it. The top betting sites in Japan take bets on football, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, and more. Certain operators specialise in specific markets, but all of them provide an overall good service. Below, we have listed many of the popular betting markets for Japanese punters:

Popular Sports in Japan

eSports Betting Markets

Nowadays, eSports betting has become a top-tier market in itself. Younger bettors are more than happy to place wagers on the games that they play and know. As a result, eSports betting markets are no less diverse than their traditional sports counterparts. You can stake your money on a variety of different factors, including first blood, number and order of maps won, objectives taken, and more. With modern eSports betting, you can truly showcase your expertise and knowledge of your chosen games.

Bet Types in JP Sports Betting Sites

The top betting sites in Japan offer a variety of bet types, allowing you to make predictions about factors you are interested in. You can start with simple wagers like who will win the game, but that is only scratching the surface. Over/under, handicaps, and totals are only a few bet options that don’t deal directly with the match’s outcome. Furthermore, they require a more in-depth approach, allowing you to truly get into the game.

If you want to go into the deep end, you can always try your luck with propositions and parlays. The former is a long-term wager that usually spans weeks or months. Parlays are made up of multiple bets, where you have to predict each individual wager correctly. Both offer incredible profit potential but come with significant risk.

The Japanese Bookie with the Best Odds

Now that we know what kind of bets you can place, it’s time to work out where you should do so. As it happens, choosing the right sportsbook has an impact on your betting experience and your bottom line. As you may know, JP sports betting sites offer slightly varying odds, where some operators provide better deals than others. As a result, some bookies feature better odds than the competition, and that is where you want to put down your money. It all has to do with the profit margin of the bookie. Below, we have listed the operators with the lowest margins in Japan.

So how does the bookmaker’s profit factor in this? Sports betting is set up so that the betting site makes a profit from the total pool of bets placed on a given event. To do this, the operator tweaks the odds slightly in their favour. In short, the lower the odds, the higher the profit margin for the bookie. It is challenging to balance, and a betting site will keep anywhere between 3% and 7-10% of the pool. Naturally, we want you to have the best odds at your disposal, which is why we have broken down the profit margin of some of the top sportsbooks. Below, we will touch on the best odds for specific betting markets.

The Highest Odds for eSports

eSports betting is now available at a wide range of online bookies. This presents you with the chance to bet on your favourite matches. There are many operators to choose from, but not all of them offer good odds. Our recommendation is LVBet, a bookmaker with proven value to online punters. Here, you can enjoy premium odds across many different eSports betting markets.

The Top Payment Methods for Online Betting

If you wish to take part in some online sports betting, Japan has access to several banking methods. These can be used to move money to and from your balance and facilitate transactions easily. Right now, you can use credit cards, eWallets and other notable services. Each method offers different benefits and drawbacks, with some suited for specific player types over others. Here are the most popular payment services for online sports betting in Japan:

As far as transactions are concerned, we recommend you go with a service that supports both deposits and withdrawals. Generally, deposits will be processed instantly, whereas withdrawal times will depend on the bookmaker and the selected payment option. Credit card transactions can take up to 5 business days to clear, while e-wallets are capable of processing payouts within 24 hours. The specific transaction limits will vary between services and the sportsbook’s withdrawal policy.

Conclusion: Great Time to Place Some Bets

All in all, Japanese punters can benefit from excellent sports betting opportunities online. JP sports betting sites are capable of satisfying even the pickiest of gamblers. These operators support all the top markets which you might want to bet on.

It has never been a better time to be a punter in Japan, and you can take full advantage of the ideal situation. Of course, if you are interested in other gambling products, like, for example, online casino slots in Japan, be sure to check out our other guides, which we have listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have more questions regarding sports betting in Japan, please have a look at the FAQ section below. We have done our best to condense the article into short but vital questions. With this, we hope that you will have a better understanding of how things stand.