Although no online casinos are operated in Japan, some platforms are accessible and present safe and responsible gambling services for entertainment purposes. If an online casino adheres to its licence agreement and the laws of its geographic gambling regulations, it is safe to say that the platform is a reputable platform for gambling.
How to Identify a Reputable Online Casino
A reputable online casino for use in Japan will always provide transparency in terms of its licensing and terms of use. Below are just a few of the most important factors to consider when accessing an online casino from Japan.
1. Legitimate Licencing by the Appropriate Authorities
If an online casino is not licenced and regulated by a government authority the platform is most likely not a legitimate casino. Reputable licenced and regulated online gambling platforms generally have their licence number visible on the casino site together with any certifications and approvals from third-party organizations. This ensures that the casino is reputable and has been thoroughly tested for fairness and payouts.
Most online casinos that are accessible from Japan have licences from Curacao, UKGC, MGA, and other government regulatory authorities.
Some of the most prominent reputable online casinos available for players in Japan also hold Gibraltar licences – read here
2. No On-Site Payments – Only Internationally Recognized Payment Methods
Many illegitimate online casinos in Japan offer on-site payments from ‘’internet cafes’’ or other masked establishments and are considered illegally operated casinos. Any reputable/licenced online casino in Japan will only offer payouts by internationally recognized payment methods such as debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
- Payment Tip – Always choose a deposit method that you can use again for withdrawing your winnings at a later stage. Furthermore, consider the minimum deposit amount required for the casino’s welcome offer.
3. Third Party Certifications, Testing, and Approval
Third-party certifications and approvals simply stipulate that the online casino has gone through additional measures to ensure safer gambling and fairness to their players. The most prominent third-party certifications that are present on reputable gambling platforms are listed and discussed below.
eCOGRA – eCOGRA is one of the most recognized independent testing agencies in iGaming and stands as a formidable barrier between customer and casino complaints or questions regarding fairness. Through eCOGRA, casino members can lay complaints regarding any discrepancies in fairness, payouts, bonuses, etc.
Gamstop / GamCare – If an online casino is approved by either Gamstop or GamCare, it means that the platform has a dedicated focus on providing responsible gambling tools to their players to ensure safe and responsible gambling.
Technical Systems Testing (TST) – TST is an internationally accredited testing agency that is well known for testing of online casino games and gambling platform payouts, random number generator accuracy, and more.
Gaming Labs International (GLI) – Gaming Labs International is another well-known testing agency that provides regulatory compliance services through testing online casino fairness, terms of use, and more.
- Responsible Gambling Tip – Always set limits on the amount you can deposit and play with each day.
4. Proven Track Record for Payments
Any reputable online casino will have proof of previous payouts, whether it is sourced from external resources such as Trustpilot or stipulated on the casino’s about or fairness page. Generally speaking, reputable online casinos will have a payout percentage of 95%+ which means they have a proven track record of paying out winnings to their players on a regular basis within the stipulated payout timeframe.
Japanese Casino Legitimacy Conclusion
In conclusion, all licenced and regulated online casinos provide reputable online gambling services for entertainment purposes. Always look into online casino licensing and regulation before signing up for an account and always read through the terms and conditions to ensure that the casino operates fairly. Most importantly it is vital to not access online casinos that are operated in Japan but rather internationally recognized authorities from other countries.
