Asia-Pacific
Japan
Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC)
Regulations & Licensing
Casino
RegulatedOnline Casino
ProhibitedBetting
MixedOnline Betting
MixedLottery
RegulatedBingo
ProhibitedKey Legislation
- Penal Code (Chapter 23 - Crimes Related to Gambling and Lotteries)
- Act on Development of Specified Integrated Resort Districts (IR Implementation Act, 2018)
- Integrated Resort (IR) Promotion Act, 2016
- Bicycle Racing Act, Motorboat Racing Act, Horse Racing Act, Motorcycle Racing Act (public pari-mutuel racing laws)
- Sports Promotion Lottery Act (toto football pools)
- Lottery Ticket Act (takarakuji)
Online Gambling
Allowed
- Online purchase of public pari-mutuel racing tickets (horse, bicycle, motorboat, motorcycle)
- Online purchase of toto football pools
- Online purchase of takarakuji lottery tickets
Prohibited
- Online casino gambling, including via offshore-licensed sites
- Private online sportsbooks / fixed-odds sports betting
- Advertising of offshore online casinos
- Online bingo for cash prizes
Taxation
Individual winningsTaxable as occasional income except takarakuji/toto (tax-exempt)
Land-Based Gambling
Allowed
- Licensed casino gaming within Integrated Resorts (IRs) supervised by the JCRC
- Public pari-mutuel racing (horse, bicycle, motorboat, motorcycle)
- Toto football pools
- Takarakuji lottery
- Pachinko/pachislot (classified as amusement, not gambling, under separate rules)
Prohibited
- Private casinos and gaming houses outside licensed IRs
- Cash-prize bingo halls operated commercially
- Private bookmaking on sports events
Taxation
IR casino gross gaming revenue tax30% (national and local combined)
IR casino admission fee (Japanese residents)JPY 6,000 per entry
IR implementation area levySet by local government ordinance
License validity: 3 years, renewable, subject to JCRC review
Regulation data is editorial and for information only — not legal advice.
