It’s time to take a look at everything relating to sports betting in Japan from the top offshore sportsbooks you can access here to some great offers and tips. The Land of the Rising Sun has plenty of enthusiasm for gambling, so let’s get straight into it.
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15% Cashback for the First 7 Days
11/01/2315% Cashback for the First 7 Days
- ComboBoost for accumulators
- Live stream eSports matches
- Very crypto friendly betting site
9.8
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200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
11/01/23200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
- Android & iOS mobile betting app
- Loyalty Program for VIP bettors
- Up to 12.5% cashback on sports
9.6
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200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
11/01/23200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
- Cashback & Rebate promos
- Hot Combos & odds boosts
- Major iOS mobile betting app
9.6
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100% Deposit Sports Bonus up to $100
11/01/23100% Deposit Sports Bonus up to $100
- Huge deposit range
- Live stream sports
- Mobile betting apps
9.6
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100% Welcome Offer up to 500 USD/50,000JPY
28/06/23100% Welcome Offer up to 500 USD/50,000JPY
- Great variety of payment methods
- 24/7 customer support by Japanese natives
- Welcome offer can be used at anytime
9.6
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100% Sports Deposit Bonus up to $100
11/01/23100% Sports Deposit Bonus up to $100
- Loads of great offers
- Racebook platform
- Reload bonus deals
9.6
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First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
11/01/23First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
- ComboBoost for accas
- Sports cashback deal
- VIP Loyalty Program
9.6
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100% up to €100 Sports First Deposit Bonus
11/01/23100% up to €100 Sports First Deposit Bonus
- About 40 betting sports
- Live streaming on site
- Separate Racebook
9.6
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First Deposit Bonus up to ¥2,600,000
11/01/23First Deposit Bonus up to ¥2,600,000
- Android betting app
- Superb Help Center
- Very crypto friendly
9.5
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Welcome Bonus up to 5 BTC
11/01/23Welcome Bonus up to 5 BTC
- Bitcoin specific welcome bonus
- Live streaming of horse racing
- Zero margin sports bets on offer
9.5
NO CODE REQUIREDClaim Bonus00Top Sports Betting Sites in Japan
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection, you can visit any one of our recommended offshore sportsbooks from Japan. These are the best online sports betting sites around based on our experts’ detailed analysis:
- Lucky Block – Crypto friendly sportsbook
- Bons – Giant welcome bonus for bettors
- Conquestador – Cashback & Rebate deals
- Lilibet – Fantastic football betting offers
- Megapari – Great option for live streaming
- Rabona – Plenty of offers plus a racebook
- Tedbet – VIP Loyalty Program for Japan
- Wazamba – Wide range of sports to bet on
- BC.Game – Biggest deal for new customers
- Cloudbet – Zero margin sports bets in Japan
Best Sports Betting Sites Reviews
Now that you know what the top offshore sportsbooks in Japan are, we’re ramping up the detail with some reviews of what they have to offer bettors like you. Our experts take a thorough look at the leading sites for sports betting in Japan here. Get the lowdown from them below:
1. Lucky Block – Crypto Sports Betting Friendly & Our Top Choice
After only launching in 2022, Lucky Block are new kids on the block but with lots to offer Japanese bettors. If you want cryptocurrency based sports and eSports betting, then you’ve come to the right place. Live streams of the latter are available, letting you bet on and watch Asia’s favourite computer games played competitively.
You should know that eSports are just one of 35 different sports to bet on with Lucky Block, who give new customers 15% cashback on net losses made in their first seven days on the sportsbook. This coverage makes it arguably the best site for sports betting Japan has to offer.
While there is a Comboboost available to increase potential winnings from accumulators, there’s still further progress Lucky Block can make. From some really foundations to build on, they can take things even higher by adding a mobile betting app, more promotions, and horse racing markets to their offering.
What we like:
- 15% cashback deal for new customers
- 35 different sports to place bets on
- Comboboost available for accas
- Highly crypto friendly betting site
- Live streaming of eSports matches
What we don’t:
- Needs more offers & horse racing
- No betting app available just yet
2. Bons – Giant Welcome Bonus for Sports Betting in Japan
Another big brand out in Asia, Bons bring popular events to Japanese bettors straight off the bat. Their eSports provision is again good featuring live streams of all the big games. Bons are best known for a big new customer offer with a 200% welcome bonus up to ¥200,000. With more than 30 different sports to bet on in total, you can also take your gambling mobile.
That’s thanks to the Bons mobile sports betting app available for both Android and iOS powered devices. Look out for their Loyalty Program if you’re a high roller, and up to 12.5% of losses refunded on the sportsbooks each week. Get quick access to the main betting action through the popular events tab too.
Although there are some handy features like toggling the odds format between six different styles of prices, Bons are a little casino heavy on the sports betting promotions front. They’re also missing horse racing markets from the gambling experience, but this doesn’t detract too much from the bigger picture of a superb offshore site.
What we like:
- Android & iOS mobile betting app
- Big welcome bonus up to ¥200,000
- Loyalty Program for VIP bettors
- Up to 12.5% sports cashback deal
- Wager on over 30 different sports
What we don’t:
- Missing horse racing markets
- Promotions are casino heavy
3. Conquestador – Sports Cashback & Rebate Deals for All Bettors
A recent makeover for Conquestador helps better highlight the deals in place for new and existing customers. With a 200% welcome bonus of up to ¥200,000, plus cashback and rebate deals everyone can enjoy, there are great promos on the sportsbook. Accumulator betting fans can also avail themselves of a Combo-Booster to increase potential winnings.
The Hot Combos listed down the right-hand side of this offshore sports betting sites tell you which wagers are trending and most popular. Comparable to its competitors in terms of breadth and depth, eSports again enjoys a significant presence. Horse racing is the only real absentee that Conquestador could consider adding in future.
As the leading sports betting app on iOS devices, it’s probably only a matter of time before they add an Android version so that both major mobile powered software are covered. Bettors can take part in weekly sports tournaments with progressive prize funds available that run from Wednesday to Tuesday too.
What we like:
- Cashback & Rebate promos offered
- Combo-Booster for accumulators
- Hot Combos show trending bets
- Mobile betting available via iOS app
- Some 30+ different sports for bettors
What we don’t:
- Needs an Android betting app
- Should add horse racing to site
4. Lilibet – Fast Payments & Live Sports Betting at Your Fingertips
Promising you fast payments for deposits and withdrawals, Lilibet offer up to a ¥50,000 welcome bonus to new customers for you to test out their pledge. Existing bettors are well-catered for through a 10% weekly cashback refund deal for losing sportsbook wagers. Lilibet also has a bet and get 15% up to ¥15,000 free bet on English Premier League action offer.
Away from promotions, there’s 24/7 customer support available for any bettors who need help with their online sports betting and casino play. Our experts counted more than 25 different sports to bet on, which is fewer than some competitors. Horse racing isn’t among those either, so there’s room for improvement from Lilibet in their coverage.
The sportsbook layout is a little basic too, but simple can often be effective. Live sports betting is something Lilibet like to put front and centre on the site, however, and that’s a smart move. There is plenty to recommend them on for fans of betting on football with the in-play angle and that great offer on the EPL, which incentivises you to take a punt.
What we like:
- 10% weekly cashback refund
- 24/7 customer support on hand
- Bet & get offer on EPL games
- Makes a big deal of live betting
- Well-known for fast payments
What we don’t:
- Lack of horse racing betting
- Very basic sportsbook layout
6. Rabona – Sports Betting Offers Galore on Site
One of the biggest offshore brands around, Rabona have something that many Japanese bettors want and their competitors lack. That is a dedicated racebook platform for horse racing and greyhounds wagers. Rabona could make this service, which is separate from their sportsbook, a little easier to find.
With a horse racing 50% reload bonus available, that’s only the beginning of a multitude of sports betting offers available. This is the one area in which Rabona really excels. They have deals including a 10% Acca Boost, 2 Goals Ahead Early Payout promotion and Bore Draw 100% Refund with football in mind. On top of that, check out their Midweek and VIP free bet offers, plus a weekly reload bonus and odds boosts. Keep in mind there are wagering requirements with all these.
Listing all their payment methods for deposits and withdrawal for sports betting Japan players can get, there’s also a mobile app for Android and iOS devices you can download by scanning the QR code on your smartphone. Rabona has thought of everything with live chat customer support and a big range of 35 different sports to wager on.
What we like:
- Big choice of 35 different sports
- Mobile app for iOS & Android
- Loads of football betting offers
- Racebook for horses & greyhounds
- VIP free bets & reload bonuses
What we don’t:
- Easier access to racebook needed
- Wagering requirements for deals
7. Tedbet – Large Welcome Bonus for Japanese Bettors
Taking a look at Tedbet now, they’re another offshore sports betting site to offer a first deposit bonus up to ¥200,000 to new customers from Japan. Popular and live betting tabs have a prominent place on this sportsbook, so you can see the big events and what’s happening in-play. These are just the highlights from a competitive range of different sports you can wager on.
Yet another sportsbook that offers a ComboBoost to enhance your potential accumulator (plus combination and system bet) winnings, Tedbet give high rollers the VIP treatment too. That’s all thanks to their Loyalty Program packed full of rewards and benefits. Open to everyone, meanwhile, is a sports cashback weekly refund deal that is most welcome.
Tedbet could do with sports betting apps for the latest Android and iOS device, but we’re sure they’re developing one for the future. Horse racing is conspicuous by its absence from the range of around 35 sports on the sportsbook with eSports a strong point, but plenty of rivals lack the former in their coverage too.
What we like:
- Excellent range of sports to bet on
- Increase acca wins with ComboBoost
- Popular & live betting tabs available
- Sports cashback weekly refund deal
- VIP Loyalty Program for high rollers
What we don’t:
- Absence of horse racing markets
- Needs a mobile betting app
8. Wazamba – Promotions Aplenty for Sports Bettors in Japan
Over at Wazamba, there are dedicated sportsbook, live betting, Virtuals and horse racing sections on the site. Everything has its own place, helping this platform to feel neat and tidy. This compartmentalised feel is important as there are almost 40 different sports to bet on across Wazamba with live streaming also available, so you can wager and watch all in one place.
Competitive odds for sports betting sit alongside plenty of promotions. From the 100% sports first deposit bonus aimed at new customers to weekly cashback and reload bonus deals, tis is another site that Japanese bettors who enjoy football will love. That’s because of promos like the Bore Draw 100% Refund and 2 Goals Ahead Early Payout.
With regular odds boosts and acca enhancements, plus even more free bets for VIPs, Wazamba has lots of wow to it. All their deals have terms and conditions with wagering requirements attached to many, though, so keep an eye on those. There’s even mobile sports betting apps for devices powered by Android and iOS software you can download for your smartphone.
What we like:
- Dedicated racebook platform
- Live streaming options available
- Nearly 40 different betting sports
- Regular odds and acca boosts
- Tons of offers and promotions
What we don’t:
- Look out for wagering requirements
- Some offers apply to football bets only
9. BC.Game – Biggest Welcome Offer from All Sports Betting Sites
One of the newer offshore sportsbooks around, BC.Game go all in on modern tech and ways of funding your gambling. They’re another of the leading Japanese sports betting crypto sites that accept Bitcoin and 15 other cryptocurrencies. BC.Game has an Android mobile betting app for taking your gambling everywhere you go with you.
As well as crypto rewards, look out for odds boosts on the sportsbook. There are around 35 different sports you can bet on through BC.Game, but horse racing isn’t one of them. eSports betting is again prized with good reason as Japan is one of those growth markets for gambling on popular computer games.
If you need any questions answering on BC.Game, then visit the Help Center for all the live support. Their VIP Club gives high rollers more rewards and bonuses. New customers are in line for an absolutely massive bonus worth a staggering ¥2,600,000 in total. Whilst promotions are very casino-focused, it’s a solid start for BC.Game as they enter the sports betting world.
What we like:
- About 35 different sports
- Android mobile betting app
- Help Center with live support
- Look out for odds boosts
- VIP Club for high rollers
What we don’t:
- Casino centric offers & promotions
- There isn’t any horse racing betting
10. Cloudbet – Crypto Friendly Sports Betting Online
Cloudbet have also really embraced cryptocurrencies with their new customer offer awarding a Bitcoin welcome bonus to those who sign up. This is capped at 5BTC. The Cloudbet Loyalty Club, meanwhile, provides bettors with rewards for being regular players on the sportsbook and casino. At the forefront of of the former is eSports betting with different games to wager on.
As Cloudbet also pledges to offer what they call Zero margin sports bets, their sports betting odds should be among if not the outright best in the world. These are available across popular leagues and competitions like the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and IPL, plus selected football / soccer games, tennis matches and MMA fights.
You can also bet on and live stream horse racing from meetings in the UK, Australia, South Africa and beyond. It’s a big deal as many other offshore sportsbooks and gambling sites Japanese bettors can access don’t even provide markets on thoroughbreds, let alone the chance to watch them run. Cloudbet could benefit from more sports specific promotions, but again catches the eye regardless.
What we like:
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin welcome bonus
- Live stream horse races
- Some 15 eSports to bet on
- Zero margin sports bets
What we don’t:
- Competitors have more sports
- Few offers outside sign up deal
How we Rank the Best Sites for Sports Betting in Japan
We've seen what individual offshore sportsbooks can provide to Japanese bettors, but how did our experts rank them in order? We thought you might be wondering about that, so here is the answer. There are key criteria they use when assessing each site. These are what they base a sports betting review on. Check out the following:
Betting Markets & Odds
An obvious place to start when assessing offshore sites is what you can bet on and how good the prices are. Bigger choice means the sportsbook is catering for more bettors. It’s Wazamba that earns our experts’ recommendation here as they have around 40 different sports to bet on. For the best prices on sports betting in Japan, meanwhile, check out Cloudbet who have Zero margin bets on major leagues.Customer Service
Professional and helpful customer support should be on hand 24/7 in case you need assistance. This can come in many forms. From live chat to email and even social media, a top sportsbook will also let you try and find answers yourself by providing detailed FAQs. Our experts like Lilibet most for their customer service options.Extra Features
A little something extra that sits alongside the sports betting Japan users can get goes a long way. This might be live streaming eSports matches for free or having your loyalty rewarded with membership of a VIP Club. Visit Bons for some great extra features with Wazamba and Cloudbet also great for streams.Offers & Promotions
A welcome bonus for sports betting can hook new players in Japan, but deals open to all customers keep you coming back for more. That’s why it’s so important that offshore sportsbooks have a suite of offers and promotions beyond the one that gets you to sign up. In this area, our experts recommend Rabona as the bonuses just keep on coming.Payment Methods
How you can fund your gambling is also important. It’s an often overlooked aspect of the experience. Top betting sites in Japan should embrace cryptocurrencies, while also accepting payment via traditional banking methods and digitally friendly eWallets. Look at Lucky Block for a great example of putting this kind of choice in your hands.
Key Features of the Best Online Sports Betting Sites
Comparing what offshore sportsbooks you can access from Japan with a VPN have can be complicated. We’ve taken all that hassle away, however, but asking our experts to create the table below. This gives you a great visual comparison of the key features from our top 10:
Japanese Betting Site eSports Betting Live Betting Live Streaming Minimum Deposit Lucky Block 
0.0001 BTC Bons ¥2,000 Conquestador ¥2,000 Lilibet 
¥2,000 Megapari ¥100 Rabona ¥2,600 Tedbet ¥1,000 Wazamba ¥1,000 BC.Game 0.0001 BTC Cloudbet 0.0001 BTC Bonuses for Sports Betting Japan has to Offer
While new customers offers are most popular with Japanese bettors, there are also deals open to everyone whether you’ve just opened an account or not. Let’s take a look at the main types of bonus you’ll find on the offshore betting sites today:
Deposit Bonuses
Most common of all the offers on sports betting sites Japan are deposit bonuses. These require you to make a deposit, either when signing up, or to get a reload bonus deal. While plenty of offshore sportsbooks Japanese bettors can access offer the latter, their primary focus is to attract new customers. These are our top three first deposit bonuses available:
- BC.Game – Up to ¥2,600,000
- Bons – 200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
- Conquestador – 200% First Deposit Bonus up to ¥200,000
Cashback Deals
Sometimes called rebates or refunds, cashback deals give you your money back. These return funds to your cash balance rather than giving free bets in place of real money. They are often set as a percentage of net losses within a defined period, typically a week. Check out these sports betting cashback deals for new and existing customers:
- Lucky Block – 15% cashback on the first 7 days
- Bons – Up to 12.5% cashback on weekly sportsbook losses
- Lilibet – 10% weekly cashback refund on losing sports bets
Enhanced Odds
Odds and price boosts take many forms and go by many names. They may be tokens you can use to get a better price on bets you like, or they can enhance multiple wagers like accumulators, combination and system bets. The one thing they all have in common is more potential winnings. Look out for these enhanced odds offers if betting offshore in Japan:
- Lucky Block – ComboBoost up to 100% extra winnings
- Conquestador – Combo-Booster up to 100% extra winnings
- Rabona – 10% Acca Boost up to $100,000 or currency equivalent
Important Terms & Conditions
Part of understanding how sports betting works properly requires you to be aware of the terms and conditions attached to offers and promotions. It’s no different with Japanese bettors accessing offshore sportsbooks. Here are some the most common and important T&CS you’ll encounter along the way:
- Expiry Dates – All offers are timebound in some form or fashion. They aren’t available forever. If it’s a bonus, then you will only have so long to use it or clear it before it expires. You must find out how much time you have, or risk losing bonus funds.
- Maximum Bonus – There is always an upper limit to what you can get from a deal. It doesn’t matter if you deposit or bet more than this amount, the max bonus is fixed. Make sure you’re aware of this, so you don’t put in or gamble more money than you need to in order to unlock it.
- Minimum Deposit – On the other side of the coin, there is also a smallest amount that you can fund your account with in order to get deals. This is the minimum deposit. With Japanese Yen, this may be larger than in other countries.
- Minimum Odds – A classic term attached to all sports betting websites around the world is the shortest price a bet can be to qualify for an offer. Accumulators may not be eligible for bonus, for example, is one leg is skinnier than this set threshold. Be aware of minimum odds requirements relating to deals.
- Minimum Stake – You’ll also find there’s a lower limit to what you can bet and receive overs with qualifying bets. The minimum stake exists so that you know how much you need to gamble and get whatever deal is on the table.
- Payment Method Restrictions – Sometimes, how you fund your account impacts whether you’re eligible for a deposit bonus or not. Crypto sports betting offers, for example, can’t be unlocked by using other payment methods, so restrictions naturally apply.
- Wagering Requirements – Unpopular though they may be, you are probably going to have to play through the value of your bonus (often with the deposit amount added on as well) several times before you free bonus funds up to the cash balance in your betting account. Wagering requirements range from reasonable to challenging to clear in the time available. It’s essential to look at these before deciding to avail yourself of an offer.
How to Choose the Best Site for Sports Betting in Japan
Picking from the many offshore sportsbooks that Japanese bettors can access is still a personal decision. Our experts can give you lots of advice, but ultimately it’s down to you to choose the platform that appeals most. There are a few more considerations that we recommend factoring in to you thinking.
Does the Site Accept Japanese Bettors?
The first port of call has to be accessibility to the offshore sportsbook from Japan. You should enlist a VPN connection to help with this. You may not be able to get on to sites without one!
Are the Most Popular Betting Sports in Japan Available?
We’ll have more on these shortly but, if sports betting websites don’t include the most popular gambling pastimes in Japan on them, there’s little point in signing up. Look for these, including eSports, on the sportsbook before you join.
What Features Do You Get?
While we’ve already touched on the benefits of extra features, it’s worth re-emphasising their value. An offshore sportsbook that allows you to cash out bets you’ve gone cold on, or live stream the latest eSports matches, for example, shows a willingness to accentuate the overall gambling experience.
Can You Wager in Japanese Yen?
Things always feel a lot smoother when you can place bets in your native currency. In Japan, of course, that’s the Yen (¥). It’s a smaller unit of currency than many others that are available on these offshore sites, but that doesn’t matter to Japanese bettors for whom this is natural.
Most Popular Japanese & Asian Sports Betting Events
Home to some 125,000,000 people, Japan isn’t exactly rivalling China or India as Asia’s most populous country but there’s still significant interest in betting on sports there. These are the most popular sporting things on which Japanese bettors gamble:
Football Betting Sites
Co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup left a major legacy for the sport of soccer in Japan. For further evidence of that, look no further than the importance placed on the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics. Tokyo was host city where the Japanese men’s football team reached the semi-finals of the tournament and just missed out on a bronze medal.
As a centrepiece of global sports betting online, soccer has fanatical fans here. The J-League has had its profile raised in recent years by stars from Europe and South America including Hulk (Brazil), Freddie Ljungberg (Sweden), Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium) and Spain’s World Cup winning trio Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and David Villa.
While you can bet on domestic football within Japan, the sport’s premier global product is the English Premier League (EPL). Lilibet are noted by our experts for their bet and get 15% up to ¥15,000 free bet offer on that competition, plus a whole host of other soccer deals.
eSports Betting in Japan
The growth of betting on eSports reflects the fact that Japan remains one of the key development areas for computer games in general. Countless gaming franchises have sprung up in this country over the last 40 years. Starcraft is still one of the most popular eSports for Asian sports betting today.
Age of Empires, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends and Rainbow Six have all become household names as a result of the computer games revolution. Add in the rise of eSports betting, and it’s no wonder they’re so popular. Offshore sportsbooks that offer the best range of gambling options here tend to be crypto friendly ones like Lucky Block, BC.Game and Cloudbet. They want to show themselves as being at the cutting edge.
Horse Racing Betting
There is a thriving thoroughbred horse racing industry in Japan with more than 20 Grade 1 races on turf held in the country every year. With event worth hundreds of millions of Yen, it should never be overlooked. The table below has more on the big events on the track in this country:
Race Name Racetrack Race Distance When Total Purse Takamatsunomiya Kinen Chukyo 1,200m March ¥368,200,000 Osaka Hai Hanshin 2,000m April ¥432,000,000 Oka Sho Hanshin 1,600m April ¥281,800,000 Satsuki Sho Nakayama 2,000m April ¥325,000,000 Spring Tenno Sho Kyoto 3,200m May ¥432,000,000 NHK Mile Turf Tokyo 1,600m May ¥281,000,000 Victoria Mile Tokyo 1,600m May ¥281,000,000 Yushun Himba Tokyo 2,400m May ¥302,400,000 Tokyo Yushun Tokyo 2,400m May / June ¥432,000,000 Yasuda Kinen Tokyo 1,600m June ¥388,800,000 Takarazuka Kinen Hanshin 2,200m June ¥432,000,000 Sprinters Stakes Nakayama 1,200m September ¥368,200,000 Shuka Sho Kyoto 2,00m October ¥238,600,000 Kikka Sho Kyoto 3,000m October ¥325,000,000 Autumn Tenno Sho Tokyo 2,000m October ¥432,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup Kyoto 2,200m November ¥281,800,000 Mile Championship Kyoto 1,600m November ¥388,800,000 Japan Cup Tokyo 2,400m November ¥864,000,000 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Hanshin 1,600m December ¥140,200,000 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Hanshin 1,600m December ¥152,200,000 Arima Kinen Nakayama 2,500m December ¥864,000,000 Hopeful Stakes Nakayama 2,000m December ¥152,200,000 With all that and more going on, the best sites for sports betting Japan has to offer must include good horse racing coverage. Few of the offshore sites do, but Rabona and Wazamba have it covered on an international scale. The former goes the extra mile by offering bettors a 50% reload bonus available on a weekly basis.
Baseball Betting Sites
Thanks to Nippon Professional Baseball producing pitchers and hitters than have gone on MLB success, this American sport also enjoys a big following in Japan. A top offshore site aimed at this market needs to cover both leagues on either side of the Pacific. Our experts found Conquestador does exactly that!
Other Sports Betting Online Options in Japan
It’d be too simplistic to boil down what Japanese bettors like to gamble on to just a handful of sports. Martial arts are obviously popular in the Far East, so offshore sportsbooks targeting the region need coverage that reflects that. Rugby union also enjoys a cult following in Japan with the country hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Brave Blossoms topping their Pool with four wins out of four.
Where to Find the Best Odds for Sports Betting Japan has to Offer
On a fundamental level, the price you can get on something happening in a sports event makes or breaks whether you decide to place a bet. The bigger the odds on offer, then the more potential profit you stand to gain because your winnings will be greater. Getting prices is one thing, but value quite another.
All sports betting odds are a reflection of implied probability of an outcome. The shorter the price, then the greater the likelihood of that eventuality happening. With that in mind, top odds probably mean offshore sportsbooks offering smaller margins. After some extensive checks, these are the sites Japanese bettors should visit for the best prices:
- Cloudbet – Zero margin sports bets on selected sports leagues and competitions
- Lucky Block – Attractive odds provided by cryptocurrency friendly sportsbook
- Bons – Weekly cashback up 12.5% on losing sports bets with decent prices too
Payment Methods Available to Japanese Bettors
Funding your gambling is all about options with sports betting in Japan just the same as anywhere else across the globe. Offshore sportsbooks should offer a mix of traditional banking and payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, plus digitally friendly ones with an increased emphasis on privacy. Here’s what Japanese bettors can choose from:
Payment Method Fees Minimum Deposit Withdrawal Times Bank Transfer Varies ¥1,000 5-10 days Credit Cards / Debit Cards Varies ¥100 0-5 days Cryptocurrencies Varies 0.0001 BTC Instant eWallets None ¥100 0-2 days Bank Transfer
If you want to keep it old school, then transferring funds direct from your bank may be available. The downside of using this payment method are some Japanese banks may not allow payments to and from sports betting sites, but those that do can charge fees for deposits to an offshore sportsbooks overseas. This is because an international bank transfer takes place.
Credit Cards & Debit Cards
MasterCard and Visa debit and credit cards are a staple of offshore sites. The former takes money out of your account straight away for deposits. A credit card will list the payment on your monthly bill when it’s time to settle up. Each has their own safety and security measures, plus the potential to charge fees.
Cryptocurrencies
You don’t have to directly involve banks at all as cryptocurrencies can be used for deposits and withdrawals. Sports betting with crypto makes sense for Japanese bettors who want an extra level of privacy. While Bitcoin is the most popular, offshore sites accept plenty of other similar payments. Instant withdrawals make cryptocurrencies really convenient too.
eWallets
Also designed with online payments in mind are eWallets. That digital friendly aspect to services that include Apple Pay, AstroPay, ecoPayz, Neteller, PayPal and Skrill among others makes withdrawing funds pretty quick. While not as fast as cryptocurrencies, eWallets add a step between you and your bank from your betting account, increasing security and privacy.
Bitcoin Betting Sites in Japan
Nothing guarantees anonymous betting quite like cryptocurrencies, and chief among them is Bitcoin. When you deposit funds in BTC via a VPN connection from Japan, you don’t pass on any bank details to offshore sportsbooks. This is what many bettors prefer, because of that extra feeling of privacy crypto provides. Here are our experts’ top three Japanese betting sites for Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies:
- Lucky Block – One of the most crypto friendly sportsbooks around
- BC.Game – Bitcoin and 15 other cryptocurrencies accepted on site
- Cloudbet – Has Bitcoin specific welcome bonus for new customers
Mobile Sports Betting Apps in Japan
Innovations in mobile technology have completely changed the gambling landscape over the last 20 years. If the invention of the internet started a revolution, then this kicked things up a notch. We’re now talking about best sports betting app Japan users can get. These provide a simplified and streamlined gambling experience for bettors.
Downloadable mobile apps make it easy to wager anywhere with an internet connection. We all use smartphones in our daily lives without a second though, so betting has also had to adapt to offer that level of convenience. Some offshore sites aren’t ready to provide these just yet, though, but may add apps in future when they’ve become more established.
Mobile makes a real difference with gambling on the go made easy. The best app for sports betting Japan has to offer is Bons. This is available to download for free for smartphones powered by either Android and iOS operating systems. Check out our top three leading mobile apps for offshore sportsbooks here:
- Bons – 200% Welcome Bonus up to ¥200,000
- Rabona – 100% up to €100 for New Customers
- Wazamba – 100% up to €100 Sports First Deposit Bonus
How to Open an Account with a Sports Betting Site in Japan
Joining a sportsbook can seem daunting to those inexperienced with the gambling sector. You don't have to worry, though, as our experts guide you every step of the way. Just follow their simple instructions below.
Create Account
Firstly, you need to sign up. Visit the sports betting site you like the most and hit that Join button. That brings up a registration form which you then need to fill in with personal details.
Verify Your Identity
Offshore sportsbooks want to know that you’re a real person, so you need to prove that. Scan documents like an ID card, passport or driving license which show who you are. A verification link may then be sent to your email address and click through that to continue setting up your account.Make a Deposit
Once logged in, you need to deposit funds. Head over to the cashier and choose from the payment methods available. Remember, not all options will be eligible for certain welcome bonuses. Enter the amount you wish to deposit and confirm.Find & Place Bets
Now that you’ve bonus and/or cash balances to wager with, you can start betting. Look around the sportsbook for the sports and markets that interest you. When you come across a bet you like, click the odds to add them to the betslip. Now enter the stake, that’s how much you want to gamble, and confirm the wager.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Japan?
While the only forms of legal gambling within Japan are the state’s lottery and any pari-mutuel horse racing betting pools organised by the Japanese Racing Association, there are unregulated markets you can access. These are overseas sportsbooks which lie outside the jurisdiction of the country’s laws.
Accessing legal betting sites beyond Japan’s borders requires a VPN connection. These are safe to use and hold licenses from recognised international gambling authorities. You can wager on such platforms securely and privately by depositing via cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Top Sports Betting Tips
Advice is something even the most seasoned gambler can appreciate. Helpful hints that can steer you towards making better decisions when wagering are a good thing. While following our experts tips comes with no certainty that you’ll always find winners, these sports betting strategies should enable you to make the most of you experience:
Follow Trusted Tipsters
There are plenty of people out there with good track records of finding winners. Again, there’s no guarantee that if you follow their tips that it’ll come off, so it’s about finding experts you trust. Here at SportsLens, we employ tipsters with great reputations in their respective fields.
Make Offers Work for You
If there are promotions that go alongside the type of gambling you like, maybe it’s football accumulators for example, then it’d be foolish not to get involved. Offers are all about attracting business and offshore sportsbooks in Japan must do this existing customers as well as newcomers.
Stick to What You Know
Resist the temptation to bet on anything and everything, and instead focus your gambling in on sports events that interest you. This is number one among the tips for sports betting we can give you. If you like football, then wager on that. If it’s Japanese horse racing or the Nippon Professional Baseball league you enjoy, stick to that.
Study the Form Yourself
Keeping up to date with recent results, injuries, suspensions and team news is really important. It can stop you from betting on the wrong team, player or horse if they’re out of form or missing something. Betting on sports is one of those areas where many people seek shortcuts, but the truth is studying helps you find winners.
The Last Word
That brings our guide to sports betting in Japan to an end. There’s lots of great offshore sportsbooks you can access with a VPN from this great country. Chief among them is Lucky Block, which is particularly cryptocurrency friendly. That makes it the perfect site for Japanese bettors to use knowing their privacy and security is respected.
FAQs
Is online betting legal in Japan?
The only legal sports betting available in Japan is through their national lottery and pari-mutuel pools for Japanese Racing Association events. Despite this, you can visit offshore sportsbooks that lie outside the jurisdiction of Japanese gambling laws with the help of VPN connections.
How does sports betting work?
Betting on sports is simple. Sign up to a sportsbook, then make a deposit and find bets that you like. Click the odds to add the wager to the betslip. Enter a stake and confirm the bet.
Can I wager on eSports betting in Japan?
Yes, you can as eSports are big in Japan. Leading offshore sportsbooks should typically have around 15 different computers games played competitively for you to bet on.
What is moneyline in sports betting?
The moneyline is an Americanised form of gambling that doesn't include draws or ties as the outcome of a sports events. Favourites have a minus sign in front of their price, indicating that. Underdogs have a plus sign next to theirs.
What are the most popular events on sports betting sites in Japan?
Football and baseball join eSports among the most popular sports events that Japanese bettors wager on. With a thriving horse racing scene in the country, thanks to events and meetings organised by the Japanese Racing Association, that too enjoys a significant following.
Jamie Clark Senior Sports Editor
Jamie Clark Senior Sports Editor
