by Angel
Japan’s gambling industry is ironic. Its criminal code states that a person caught gambling must be fined, yet opportunities to gamble in Japan remain prevalent and in the open. Gambling remains a multi-trillion Japanese Yen industry, even though legal gambling in Japan comprises only a few forms: Pachinko, sports race betting, and lotto. Japan has no casinos but is filled with 8,460 Pachinko parlors and thousands of lottery stands. Discover more surprising statistics and facts about Japan’s gambling industry below.
Highlights of the Article
- The average revenue per user in Japan’s online gambling market is $628 in 2023.
- By 2027, Japan’s online gambling industry will have 11.04 million users.
- In 2021, there were 7.2 million Pachinko players in Japan.
- A Pachinko machine can generate ¥10,600 ($77.39) in daily winnings.
- An average Pachinko parlor has around 300 to 500 machines.
- 196.8 million participants bet on horse races in 2022.
- The Recovery Support Network in Japan received 785 calls from people asking how they could stop gambling.
- Change in circumstances led 44.6% of Pachinko players to stop playing.
How Much Do Japanese Lose When Gambling?
Japanese gamblers spend $200 billion on Pachinko alone per year. That is 30 times Las Vegas’s annual gambling revenue, surprising since their gambling industry is more lavish than in Japan. Regulations in Japan also forbid cash prizes. Their loophole is exchanging certain prizes from the initial venue to a tuck shop, where they exchange a special prize for cash. That puts the average gambling loss of a Japanese adult at $447. This also makes Japan the 6th country with the largest gambling loss per adult globally.
Online Gambling Statistics in Japan
Japan’s criminal code lacks a bit of definition regarding gambling. The general rule is that any government-approved gambling activities are legal. Except for Pachinko, any private entity cannot run a gambling operation.
When it comes to online gambling laws, they do not focus on individuals. They are more directed at corporations. That is why no local corporations operate online casinos or betting sites in Japan. Still, citizens can gamble online through offshore websites, like:
- Casumo
- Play Amo
- JackpotCity
- 888 Casino
Find out more about Japan’s online gambling industry through the stats below:
- Japan’s online gambling market revenue will grow at a 6.71% rate from 2023 to 2027. (Statista)
- By the end of 2023, Japan’s online sports betting market will have a market volume of $3.78 billion. (Statista)
- The online gambling market of Japan has an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $628 in 2023. (Statista)
- The user penetration in Japan’s online gambling market will be 7% in 2023. (Statista)
- There will be 11.04 million online gamblers in Japan by 2027. (Statista)
Offline Gambling Statistics in Japan
The laws in Japan might state that gambling is illegal. Still, the government has been making exceptions by allowing some gambling activities, most of which are offline, such as:
- Lottery
- Pachinko
- Sports and race betting
- There were 7.2 million Pachinko players in 2021. (Statista)
- According to a 2021 survey, 40% of Pachinko players spent an average of ¥10,000 to ¥30,000 ($73 to $219) per daily parlor visit. (Statista)
- Pachinko machines had an average daily win of ¥10,600 ($77.39). (Statista)
- Each Pachinko parlor has 301 to 500 machines installed. (Statista)
- There were 22.3 million people in Japan who participated in lottery games. (Statista, LottoSmile)
Japanese Sports Betting Statistics
The government in Japan allows sports betting in limited circumstances only. Bettors are only allowed to wager in “public sports” such as:
- Horse racing
- Powerboat racing
- Motorcycle racing
- Bicycle racing (Keirin)
- There were 196.8 million betting participants at horse races in 2022. (Statista, Horse Racing in Japan)
- The total sales from registered horse race betting in Japan were ¥3.1 trillion ($22 trillion) in 2021. (Statista)
Gambling Addiction Statistics in Japan
Gambling addiction rates in Japan are high, with a 2021 survey revealing that gambling disorders affected 3.7% of male and 0.7% of female participants. Japan’s gambling laws are strict, but the care for problem gamblers does not receive the same attention.
- The Recovery Support Network in Japan received 3,403 calls related to gambling addiction in 2021. (Statista)
- 785 people in 2021 asked for advice on stopping themselves or others from gambling. (Statista)
- A 2021 survey revealed that 94.7% of those who gambled their whole life had not sought help. (National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center)
Growth and Trends of Japanese Gambling
The Japanese government recently approved the establishment of the country’s first casino. Osaka will host this casino with an integrated resort on the city’s Yumeshima Island, opening in 2029. Experts project it will attract around 20 million visitors per year and generate ¥1 trillion yearly.
Wrap-Up
Gambling has been part of Japanese culture since the 7th century. Today, it is both thriving and developing. With the anticipated opening of Japan’s first land-based casino resort in 2029, locals are urging the government to update their online gambling laws, unlocking the full potential of Japan’s gambling industry.
FAQs
- Gambling winnings in Japan are tax-free since the government already takes it from the wagers.
- Only limited gambling activities are legal in Japan. Casinos are illegal, but Japan is building its first land-based casino, which will open in 2029.
- There are two main forms of gambling: Pachinko and lottery (with variations like Mini Loto, Japan Loto 6 and 7, and scratch cards; for races: horse racing, powerboat racing, motorcycle racing, and bicycle racing).