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The Best Sports Betting Sites in Japan for 2024

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Welcome to our guide to sports betting in Japan. We’ve done our research to come up with a list of the best Japanese betting sites for you to choose from.

We have put together all the info you need to bet in Japan, from information on what types of online betting are legal and the most popular sports to bet on to the best sports betting sites in Japan and advice on how to deposit.

Best Sports Betting Sites in Japan – March 2024

4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 645 people this week
Get 100% Up To $500
Terms and conditions: The bonus code is only valid for a new customer's first deposit and must be redeemed immediately after the deposit and before a wager has been placed. The sum of the deposit and the bonus are subject to rollover requirements of 8x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a new bonus can be redeemed or a withdrawal can be made. Max. $1000 of each bet count towards the rollover requirements. Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
Master Card
Bank Transfer
Neteller
Paysafecard
Skrill
Bitcoin
+5

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • AUD
  • CAD
  • USD
  • Competitive sign-up and promotional offers
  • Excellent statistics section to aid customers
  • Pain-free deposit options
  • Accepts both high and low limit bettors
  • Lengthy and expensive withdrawal procedure
4.5/5
Rated by 267 users
Claimed by 555 people this week
125% up to $3,125
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
Master Card
Bitcoin
American Express
Moneygram
Ethereum
Litecoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • Premier destination for US bettors
  • Racebook covering daily races
  • Esports and virtual sports markets
  • In-depth sports stats and tips
  • Intuitive live betting markets
  • Limited withdrawal options
4.57/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 445 people this week
100% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bitcoin
BitcoinCash
Master Card
Person to Person
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • LTC
  • USD
  • Generous bonuses and promotions
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Extensive racebook
  • Very good customer service
  • Only a few withdrawal options
  • Fees for withdrawing funds
4.62/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 484 people this week
100% Up to $1000 + $25 casino chip
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
Master Card
Bitcoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Trusted by publications such as ESPN
  • Access a dedicated racing section
  • Crypto-friendly sportsbook
  • Adjust odds format and time zone
  • Support options include call back
  • Quite low sportsbook limits
4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 374 people this week
50% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
Discover
Master Card
Neteller
Skrill
+1

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • USD
  • Accepts players from all over the world
  • Known for their live betting offers
  • Lots of secure banking options
  • Great bonuses and promotions
  • High fees for some deposit options
  • Support agents are often slow to reply
4.5/5
Rated by 313 users
Claimed by 252 people this week
50% Up to $250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Amex
Bitcoin
Master Card
Rapidtransfer
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Top-rated US online sportsbook
  • Mobile site for iOS and Android users
  • Diverse range of betting markets
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Lines come out very late in the day
  • Odds not as favorable as other books
4.5/5
Rated by 232 users
Claimed by 232 people this week
15% up to $600
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Amex
Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
Master Card
Neteller
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BPS
  • CAD
  • EUR
  • Popular book that accepts large max bets
  • Huge focus on football and basketball
  • High-spec live in-play platform available
  • Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
  • Odds are not amazing on non-US sports
  • User interface could be improved

How We Find the Best Japanese Betting Sites

At SBO.net, we have put every Japanese sports betting site through a rigorous review process. We look at a wide range of criteria to make sure every site we recommend will meet your needs in a safe and secure way. Only sites that meet all of our requirements get our seal of approval.

Here’s three of the most important factors we consider when choosing Japanese betting sites:

Licensed

Licensed and Legal

Every sports betting site that we recommend is a legal, licensed site that has oversight from a trusted regulatory body in a reputable gaming jurisdiction. We will never recommend that you visit an unlicensed site. By sticking with licensed, legal operators, you will avoid scams, make sure you deal with reputable sites, and know there are regulators you can turn to if something goes wrong.

Sports Covered

Range of Sports

The more sports you can bet on, the better. Our recommended Japan sports betting sites offer up a wide range of markets on sports from around the world. However, they must give Japanese bettors everything they need. That means you’ll see odds on the J-League, sumo, Nippon Professional Baseball, and more, along with all the biggest leagues and tournaments from across the globe.

Mobile App

Betting Apps

Today, most sports betting takes place on mobile apps, and we want you to be able to enjoy placing bets from your phone or tablet. That’s why each of our recommended betting sites features a full-featured app that lets you instantly place bets no matter when or where you decide to book some action. With mobile apps, you’ll never miss your chance to place an in-play bet.

Flag of Japan

Is Sports Betting Legal in Japan?

Sports betting in Japan is legal, but only in specific, limited circumstances. In particular, it is legal to bet on several forms or racing that are known as “public sports”. These include horse racing, motorcycle racing, bicycle racing (keirin) and powerboat racing.

In addition, a 1998 law made it legal to bet on J-League football matches, though again only in limited forms. The toto gives bettors the chance to predict the outcome of 13 football matches. If you get all 13 right, your JPY 100 bet can turn into JPY 100 million or more. A mini toto is also available in which you only have to correctly predict five matches. Toto tickets can be bought at terminals, convenience stores, and online.

You won’t find anything like a full-service online bookmaker in Japan, as these services have not been legalized. However, there are many foreign operators who are happy to accept bets from Japanese users.

While these sites may not be legal under Japanese regulations, these laws are not enforced against individual bettors, and millions of Japanese users have played at these sites without encountering any issues.

How Can I Deposit at Japanese Betting Sites?

Because of the legal status of sports betting in Japan, it may be difficult to use traditional banking methods to move money into your accounts at international betting sites. But that’s not a problem, as there are plenty of safe, secure, and often anonymous methods you can use to move money into these websites.

One of the most popular options is the use of an e-wallet. These services, such as Skrill and NETELLER, allow you to fund an online wallet which you can then use to make deposits, accept withdrawals, or even just store funds for later use. These are flexible options that are especially useful if you plan to bet at multiple sites.

Another popular option is the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Transactions using cryptocurrency are secure, largely anonymous, and are processed quickly. Best of all, cryptocurrencies can be used even if you don’t have traditional banking resources like a bank account or credit card.

These aren’t the only options. In some cases, you might be able to make deposits through more traditional means, like bank transfers or a credit card. Prepaid options like the paysafecard can also be purchased at retail outlets or online, then used to transfer value into a betting site account.

Japanese yen

Do Online Sports Betting Sites Accept JPY?

Many of our recommended betting sites do allow you to deposit and play in Japanese Yen (JPY). This comes with a number of advantages for you. Most obviously, you won’t have to worry about exchange rates when depositing or withdrawing funds. You can also know exactly how much you are betting in JPY each time you place a bet, ensuring you don’t make any mistakes.

That said, it’s also easy to play even if your chosen site doesn’t fully support JPY. If you need to hold a balance and play in another currency such as US dollar, Pound sterling, or Euro, the conversion will happen automatically when you make your deposit, and again when you cash out.

You won’t have to take any additional steps – all the work to exchange currencies happens behind the scenes instantaneously.

Do Japanese Gamblers Have to Pay Taxes on Winnings?

Japanese gambling winnings are taxed, but only for those who earn significant amounts of money from betting. Gambling winnings of up to JPY 500,000 are considered “occasional income” and are exempt from income tax requirements.

Above that amount, half of all winnings are considered taxable income. In addition, professional bettors – or anyone who primarily makes their money from gambling – can deduct their gambling losses to help reduce their tax burden.

Sumo wrestling tournament

The Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Japan

While our top sports betting sites will let you bet on just about any event happening anywhere in the world, some competitions are more popular than others. Here are a few of the key sports that you’ll be sure to find at the best sports betting sites in Japan.

Football

Football

Football is extremely popular in Japan, as it is in most parts of the world. Our sites offer up betting on Japan’s domestic J-League. Ut you can also bet on the biggest leagues in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

There are also markets on international competitions like the Champions League and the World Cup, along with smaller leagues and tournaments from around the world, meaning there’s almost always a football match to bet on.

Horse Racing

Horse Racing

From flat track racing to jump racing and Ban’ei, Japan has a lively horse racing industry. Our recommended betting sites accept bets on all of the top Japanese horse races, including the Japan Cup.

You can also bet on famous races from around the world, including the American Triple Crown races, the Breeders’ Cup, and other top competitions from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Cycling

Cycling

Keirin is a form of race cycling that has been a huge gambling attraction in Japan since its invention in the late 1940s. The sport has since gained international popularity, joining the Summer Olympics in 2000.

Japanese betting sites offer odds on professional races in the country, as well as major international competitions like the Olympics and World Championships.

Other Sports

Other Sports

Many other sports are also popular in Japan and attract plenty of betting interest. For instance, Nippon Professional Baseball is the second most prestigious baseball league in the world – behind only Major League Baseball – and betting markets are often available on betting sites.

More traditional sports are also available for sports betting in Japan. Some of our top sites offer odds on sumo wrestling, the national sport of Japan. Powerboat races and motorcycle racing are also popular betting options for Japanese gamblers.

Claimed by 645 people this week
Get up to €50 in Bet Credits
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply

Japan Betting FAQs

Is online sports betting legal in Japan?

Some forms of sports betting are legal in Japan. Examples include toto betting slips for J-League football games and pari-mutuel betting on other events like horse racing. While Japanese betting sites are not legal in the country, there are many regulated foreign sites allow Japanese players to place bets with them safely and securely.

What can you bet on in Japan?

You can bet on just about any sport that you’d like at Japanese betting sites. These include traditional Japanese public sports like keirin, horse racing, powerboat racing and motorcycle racing. However, betting sites also accept bets on other domestic and international events like football, sumo, baseball, and many more sports from around the world.

How can I deposit at Japanese betting sites?

There are a number of different ways to deposit money into your account at a betting site. Some of the most popular options include using an e-wallet solution like Skrill, or a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. Other possibilities include using a credit or debit card, a bank transfer, or prepaid options like the paysafecard.
Q.

Can you bet on sumo online?

A.
Yes, sumo betting is available at many of our top sports betting sites in Japan. While sumo isn’t very popular outside of Japan, betting on the sport has increasingly grown in popularity, with many foreign bookmakers beginning to offer odds on major events, such as the six professional Grand Sumo tournaments held every year.

About the author

Alan Penny
Alan Penny

Editor-in-Chief

Alan hails from Northern Ireland and is an avid fan of all sports. He has been with us since 2017 and serves as SBO’s Editor-in-Chief. Alan passionately covers everything from the latest regulatory developments across the globe to tips on the latest football matches.