Japan Online Gambling Market

Japan Online Gambling Market Size and Share:

The Japan online gambling market size was valued at USD 8.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 12.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.3% from 2025-2033. The market is primarily driven by widespread digital connectivity, technological innovations like blockchain, an expanding user base favoring mobile platforms, a rising preference for interactive betting options, changing customer attitudes toward online gaming, and enhanced regulatory measures ensuring safety and consumer engagement.

The market in Japan is mainly driven by increased smartphone penetration and high-speed internet access, which has made online gaming experiences easier. According to a news article published by The Guardian on September 10, 2024, more than 2 million online casino players have been registered in Japan. This translates to the fact that one in every 100 persons in Japan, with its population of 120 million, is a registered online casino player. The article also underscores the preferences of Japanese players in online casinos, and this includes varied choices of games, secure sites, and creative bonuses. In addition to this, shifting cultural attitudes toward gaming have made the customer base expansive among younger populations, which gives a boost to the growth of the market.

The appeal of innovative gaming features, such as live dealer options, adds excitement for players, which further fuels market expansion. Although most forms of gambling are prohibited under Japan's Penal Code, exceptions are made. For example, betting on horse racing, cycling, motorboat racing, and motorcycle racing is allowed and sanctioned by the government. For instance, according to an article released on May 27, 2024 by Play Today, gambling games such as horse racing and Pachinko are still widely engaged in Japan, and horse racing alone is raking in ¥3.25 trillion. The Pachinko market will be at ¥14.6 trillion in 2021. Furthermore, the introduction of effective government policies and regulations that control and monitor online gaming websites has built confidence in the consumers' minds and ensures responsible gaming practices.

Japan Online Gambling Market Trends:

Emergence of Cryptocurrency Gambling

Japanese online gamblers are adopting cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin increasingly for transactions due to the anonymity and ease of usage. The increasing demand for privacy and the decentralized nature of blockchain-based platforms supports this trend. Integration of cryptocurrencies also attracts technology-savvy users who place value on secure and instant payments. The rising trend towards cryptographic monetary assets and their implementation on online gaming sites reflects Japanese interest in digital currencies. For example, an article by News on Japan published June 19, 2024, points out that physical and online casinos are adopting digital currencies for transactions, offering players enhanced convenience and privacy. The article also mentions how, since 2018, Japanese authorities have eased specific restrictions on Bitcoin transactions, thus facilitating this trend.

Technological Advancements and Mobile Accessibility

Continual technological innovations and mobile accessibility have greatly increased online gambling in Japan. The usage of smartphones and high-speed internet has made online gambling more convenient, thereby attracting a broader audience. Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) provide personalized experiences with recommendations and tailored gameplay. For instance, an article published by Akihabara News on September 23, 2024, titled "Technology Shapes Future of Online Roulette," analyzed the role that mobile technology, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain play a vital role in the online roulette experience in Japan. It includes increasing accessibility through mobile phones, personalizing experience through AI algorithms, and creating immersive environments with VR headsets while enhancing fairness and transparency through blockchain technology. These innovations are improving the user experience and increasing engagement, leading to higher involvement.

Rising Influence of Social Media

Japanese gambling operators are using social media to market products to specific audiences through customized advertisements. Engaging ads with live games, bonuses, and tournaments is raising user engagement. Several gaming companies in Japan are partnering with social influencers to promote their services. The influencers exclusively deal with gaming or sports betting and share their experiences and reviews about the services, creating a sense of trust among their followers. An article published on November 13, 2024 by Ben Gibson reflects the great influence of social media on sports betting behaviors. The article reveals that while watching sports, 70% of Generation Z and 68% of millennials engage with social media, which indicates shifting toward digital platforms for sports consumption. This article also explores the role of influencers and tipsters in determining betting choices. By integrating social media with sports and gambling, operators access a larger market and increase the entertainment value of online sites.

Japan Online Gambling Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the Japan online gambling market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on game type and device.

Analysis by Game Type:

• Sports Betting
  • Football
  • Horse Racing
  • E-Sports
  • Others
• Casino
  • Live Casino
  • Baccarat
  • Blackjack
  • Poker
  • Slots
  • Others
• Others
   

Sports betting, especially horse racing, is majorly influencing Japan's online gambling market. Horse racing is an exciting and competitive activity that has become a major growth driver in the market due to its long-standing cultural and historical association with the sport. Moreover, the availability of online platforms is attracting younger, tech-savvy demographics and traditional bettors, thereby increasing the scope of horse racing betting. Moreover, the usage of mobile apps and live-streaming services increases user interaction, thus making betting more convenient and interactive. Apart from this, strict regulatory policies support responsible gaming, which is also providing an impetus to the market. With the growing number of players taking part in virtual horse racing and extended betting options, the Japan horse racing segment is expected to grow further. Also, the unmatched blend of tradition, innovation, and an expansive digital landscape keeps driving the online gambling market expansion in Japan.

Analysis by Device:

• Desktop
• Mobile
• Others
   

Desktop devices play a crucial role in the Japan online gambling market due to their ability to provide a stable and immersive gameplay experience. Several online gambling platforms are focusing on desktop interfaces due to their superior screen size, performance, and better user interaction, thus attracting serious and seasoned gamblers who would like a more detailed and uninterrupted experience. Desktops also enable better graphics, smoother gameplay, and multi-tasking capabilities, which makes them ideal for users who engage in complex betting or require advanced analytical tools. In addition to this, high-speed internet and sophisticated software incorporation also make the experience from a desktop more efficient and powerful. While mobile devices are gaining popularity, desktops remain the go-to option for many, particularly for long gaming sessions and professional gamblers. The continued reliance on desktops contributes to sustained market expansion and reinforces its ongoing significance in Japan's online gambling market.

Regional Analysis:

• Kanto Region
• Kinki Region
• Central/ Chubu Region
• Kyushu-Okinawa Region
• Tohoku Region
• Chugoku Region
• Hokkaido Region
• Shikoku Region
   

Kanto is a very important region hosting Tokyo and its suburbs that contribute to the growth of the online gambling market in Japan. Kanto is the economic and cultural center of the country; it has a huge population in Japan, mostly full of tech-savvy individuals; therefore, a vast majority of users who demand online gambling services are from this region. Moreover, the region also enjoys good internet infrastructure, which makes it suitable for the development of online gaming sites. In addition to this, the global financial center and the capital of innovation and progress offer opportunities for innovation and capital investment to online gamblers. The region also hosts a very large base of traditional gamblers, mainly in terms of horse racing and pachinko, which can be easily converted to online space. The amalgamation of technological infrastructure, high population density, and cultural engagement with gambling in the Kanto region assures continuous market expansion in the region.

Competitive Landscape:

Japan's online gambling market is very dynamic in its competitive landscape, with the influence of offshore platforms increasing exponentially as domestic restrictions on online casinos continue to tighten. Online platforms for players in Japan have been focused on localized features, including language options, yen-based transactions, and culturally tailored games. Advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and blockchain continue to redefine the user experience while driving innovation across platforms. Moreover, strategic collaborations between the gaming and entertainment industries are creating cross-platform experiences. For instance, Queen Casino, a leading brand of Lowkey Ltd., Japan, recently announced an official partnership with German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach on August 27, 2024. This collaboration grants Queen Casino exclusive branding opportunities during the club's Bundesliga home matches and integrates its brand into Borussia's Japanese social media channels, aiming to engage the Japanese fanbase. The partnership reflects a commitment to innovation and community engagement and is expected to enhance both organizations' presence in the market.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the Japan online gambling market with detailed profiles of all major companies.

Latest News and Developments:

• August 20, 2024, Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) announced its inaugural investigation into overseas-operated online casinos targeting Japanese users. This initiative aims to identify operators, their locations, fund transfer methods, and user demographics, addressing the rapid increase in online gambling among Japanese youth. The NPA plans to survey over 7,000 individuals across various age groups and compile a comprehensive report by the fiscal year's end to inform future regulatory measures and combat gambling addiction.

Japan Online Gambling Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Japan online gambling market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Japan online gambling market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Japan online gambling industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.