Best Betting Sites in Japan

Updated:

The most popular sport to bet on in Japan is baseball. Hundreds of bets are placed on the outcome of the biggest games every day.

What are the options available for sports betting in Japan? This article explains it all. Here, our expert team analyses the leading sites and apps, reporting on the best Japan betting sites.

We even give links to help you register for an account and explain the steps to sign up in the quickest possible time, as well as how to get the best welcome bonus available.

List of bookmakers in Japan

Found: 15 Bookmakers

Rank Bookmaker Bonus Claim
1

22bet

Welcome Bonus up to 16,000 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

2

20bet

Welcome Bonus 100% up to €100

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

3

1xBet

100% bonus on the first deposit up to 12,500 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

4

Lilibet

Welcome Bonus 100% up to 50,000 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

5

Conquestador

200% Welcome bonus up to

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

6

Sportsbet.io

10% more on winnings for all the new players

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

7

10Bet

Welcome Bonus up to €50

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

8

Melbet

First deposit welcome bonus up to 12,500 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

9

Betwinner

First deposit welcome bonus up to 13,000 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

10

21LuckyBet

Free bet bonus up to 4,000 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

11

William Hill

Freebet bonus up to £30

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

12

Bet365

Welcome Bonus up to 10,000 JPY

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

13

Bettilt

Welcome Bonus 100% up to $500

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

14

Roobet

$150 K in prizes & free bets

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

15

Pinnacle

No bonus

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

Japan sports betting – The ultimate guide

Updated:

best betting sites in Japan

Japan bettors love baseball and many see it as the nation’s national sport, despite the top games being played in America. Many Japanese players are involved in the leading baseball competitions overseas. MLB in the US is, by far, the most popular competition for punters in Japan with bets placed on teams and players.

Discover which sites offer the best welcome bonuses, the most generous odds, the broadest range of markets and more. 

History of sports betting in Japan

japan sports betting history

Gambling in Japan has a rich and exciting history. The way betting began isn’t too different from the way we understand betting today.

Spectators gathered in numbers to watch sporting events, fights and tests of speed or strength, and wagered cash or goods on the outcome. The most popular betting events were card games played using decks obtained from Westerners when the Portuguese arrived in Japan to spread Christianity.

The rules were quite different from what is followed when you place your stake down at the biggest Japan betting company in modern times. Throughout history, bets were made on an agreement, but often there was nothing in writing or legal. Most betting has been illegal throughout Japanese history. That didn’t deter those who wanted to profit from the most prominent events, however. The majority of bets were placed at unlawful bookmakers.

  1. The earliest recorded betting in Japan was on card games
  2. The arrival of the Portuguese in Japan in 1549 saw betting become more popular
  3. Private gambling on cards games was banned in 1633
  4. Betting on various sports has slowly become legal since 1907

As you can imagine, without the top bookies in Japan to oversee these wagers, the results were often in dispute and led to trouble. The criminal code was established in Japan in 1907, and sports betting has since become legal, enjoyed by millions across the country. 

Bets are placed at the best Japan bookmakers and online using websites and mobile apps.

Table about sports betting in Japan
🌍 Country Japan
👌 Language Japanese
💲 Currency Japanese yen
Popular sports Baseball, Football, Tennis and Golf
⚖️ Is betting legal Yes
🏢 Regulator No designated gambling authority
🧾 Gambling taxes Absent
💳 Most popular payment methods AstroPay, Bitcoin, MuchBetter, Bank transfer

FAQ

?

Can I get a free bet today?

Yes, click any link on this page to your chosen bookmaker to open an account and collect the welcome bonus free bet.
?

Can I open an online betting account?

If you are over the legal gambling age in Japan and can prove it with a photo ID, then you can open an account and bet. Do it through this page to ensure you are betting with a legal betting site.
?

Is online sports betting legal in Japan?

Every bookmaker advertised on this page is legal and licensed for use in Japan. Our team has picked out only the best online betting sites.
?

Which sports can I bet on in Japan?

The top apps in Japan offer betting markets on the most popular sports, including football and tennis. Each sport has a selection of competitions and dozens of games.
?

Which currencies can I use for betting?

The leading betting sites and apps allow members to bet using a wide range of currencies. You can select the currency you wish to bet in and change at any time. All major currencies are accepted.

How to bet on esports

Since the very first streams of online tournaments, esports is an ever-growing trend on various digital streaming sites. The finals of internationally known games hold thousands in front of their monitors and command the attention of players to come. That’s why we want to show you the basics of how to bet on esports.

  1. 1. Visit the bookmaker

    Open the main page of your chosen bookmaker to login to your account in the preparation for betting

    Melbet main page
  2. 2. Find the desired sports

    Find your favorite esports. On the desktop, sports lists are usually in the sidebar. On the mobile platform try either searching in the upper/lower part of your screen or in the hamburger (three rows) menu

    Melbet sports page
  3. 3. Open a match that you want to bet on

    After you’ve found the sport, choose an event that holds your attention.

    Melbet matches page
  4. 4. Choose an outcome and place your bet

    Search the event for the desired outcome, select it and input your stake in the window that appears next.

    Placing bet at Melbet

How to pick the best Japan betting site

Online bookmakers represent the most popular means of placing a sports bet. So, here are some tips to choose the best bookie for Japanese bettors.

  1. Read reviews

    We offer complete reviews of many bookmakers available in the market today. Through them, you can find the advantages and disadvantages of each bookie, allowing you to learn more about each option.

    do your research
  2. See your preferences

    It is important to check if a bookmaker offers what you are looking for. Do you want to bet with cryptocurrencies? Do you like to bet on eSports? Do you want access to lots of bonuses? All of this is important when choosing your bookie.

    explore your options
  3. Check the available currencies

    Some people don’t mind using dollars or any other currency to bet, while others prefer to use the Japanese yen. Depending on your preference, you need to check which currencies are offered before registering with a bookie.

    examine payment methods
  4. Try it out

    To finalise your choice, it is always important to try out the bookie to see if it is really what you are looking for. This ensures that you have made the right choice.

    create an account

Mobile betting in Japan

Japan sports betting has changed over the years, especially in the last decade. First bettors moved from gambling in land-based betting shops and bookmakers to wagering at home using their desktop computers. The emphasis of punters then switched to the convenience offered by betting using mobile apps

The ability to download apps to an Android and iOS device and place bets has proven an instant hit. No longer are gamblers tied to their laptops. This has resulted in a surge in the number of sports bets placed in Japan.

The top Japan betting sites were installed on millions of devices, allowing users to gamble on what they wanted when they wanted, putting the bettor in complete control.

To enjoy gambling on the most popular sports, including football, punters must be using one of the best football betting sites in Japan. These apps give you access to the best odds, generous bonuses and more ways to bet on your favourite teams. 

Table about Mobile betting in Japan
💯 Available betting features Live betting, Live streaming, Cashout, Accumulator, Bet builder
🏇 Popular gambling activities TOTO, Slot Machines, Sports Betting, Casino, Lottery
🗝️ Key information Only specific forms of sports betting are allowed and regulated.
🔣 Most popular types of odds Decimal
📈 Advantages of Japan There are no reports of online gambling restrictions.
📉 Disadvantages of Japan Winnings from gambling in Japan are listed as income; the limit is 500,000 ¥.

Below, you’ll find our list of the leading sportsbooks in Japan with user-friendly mobile apps. There are also details of the welcome bonus free bets available to users.

👇Simply click the bookmaker that catches your eye to get your free bet👇

  1. 1

    Welcome Bonus up to 16,000 JPY

    T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

  2. 2

    Welcome Bonus 100% up to €100

    T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

  3. 3

    100% bonus on the first deposit up to 12,500 JPY

    T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

  4. 4

    Welcome Bonus 100% up to 50,000 JPY

    T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

  5. 5

    200% Welcome bonus up to

    T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

Top 3 Japan betting apps

Being an extremely technology-savvy country, it is clear that the Japanese are always looking for ways to use their smartphones to carry out everyday activities.

With the betting apps, you can track your favourite sports, place your bets, deposit and withdraw your money, and much more. Here are some of the best app options on the betting market.

User Friendly Bookmaker

  • 100% first deposit
  • Extremely fast login and registration
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Great odds
Bet now Read review

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

1xbet-384x999w.jpg

Claim World-Class Bonuses!

  • Big reputation
  • Live-streaming services
  • Great welcome offers
  • Lots of popular payment methods available
Bet now Read review

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

bet365-featured-bookmaker-384x999w.jpg

Online betting in Japan

The popularity of online betting continues to grow in Japan. Indeed, the online sports betting industry is more competitive now than ever before, but that’s great news for bettors. You have a choice when it comes to which bookmaker to gamble with.

All of the legal betting apps in Japan have free bet welcome bonuses for new players. You can stick to one bookie and use their free bet or choose to sign up with a selection of your favourite betting sites and collect all the welcome bonuses.

Top 4 bookmakers in Japan with the greatest bonuses

This will be the most exciting section of our review of the leading bookies in Japan for many readers. Here, we detail our findings of the best sites and apps in Japan with the most generous bonuses. These deals are ready for you today. Click any link below to secure your free bet.

To get your bonus, all you must do is register for an online betting account with your chosen sportsbook then place a bet on a sport of your choice. Your free bet will then be added to your account balance and you can use it on football, racing, or any other popular sports events.

  • Betfred
  • Betvictor
  • Bet-at-home
  • Mr. Play

Bet365 offers a deposit bonus for Japanese bettors

Open an account at Bet365 before making your first deposit and bet. You will then receive your new customer welcome bonus free bet. This promo can be used to gamble on any sports market covered by Bet365. The value of your first deposit and bet will equal your free bet. Terms and conditions apply to this promotion, and we advise reading these in full.

Bet now Read review

T&C apply. Gamble Responsibly 18+

bet365-japan-featured-384x999w.jpg

Top 3 legal bookmakers in Japan

When betting on sports in Japan, you must gamble with a legal sportsbook that is licensed and regulated. There are many options in the country, but not all sites are regulated. To keep yourself safe, we advise only betting with the bookmakers mentioned on this page. Our team of experts has researched each bookmaker and studied the current status of their gambling license. 

Choose your favourite legal bookmaker from the list below and click to open an account, and release your new player welcome bonus.

  • Bet365
  • LVBet
  • TonyBet

4 ratings, average 4.8 out of 5

Review Author

Frankie Monkhouse

Frankie Monkhouse

Frankie Monkhouse is a former professional boxer turned sports betting content writer.