The gambling culture in Japan has a long history, tracing back hundreds of years. Traditional games like Hanafuda, Mahjong, and Shogi remain very popular in modern Japan, with many people betting on these games.
When Japan opened up to the world in the mid-19th century, the gambling landscape underwent significant changes, with Western casino classics like Baccarat, Roulette, and Poker becoming popular.
In 1907, Japan enacted a gambling ban, prohibiting these activities and limiting legal gambling to national lotteries, horse racing, and pachinko parlors. Despite the ban, gambling remains a popular pastime in Japan. This article will introduce Japan's most popular gambling games.
Pachinko: Japanese Arcade-Style Game
Pachinko is similar to a vertical pinball machine. It uses small steel balls rented by players. The goal is to collect as many balls as possible, which can be exchanged for drinks, souvenirs, and sometimes even cash. This unique Japanese game is popular in over 7,000 pachinko parlors nationwide.
Pachinko games can even be found online, where you can find pachinko-inspired online slot games at Japanese online casinos, such as Vibra Gaming's "Pachinko 3". Some games feature pachinko imagery, while others adopt game mechanics reminiscent of arcade classics.
Online Slots in Japan
Online slot games are very popular among Japanese gamblers. These games have low stakes, very similar to pachinko. Due to their popularity, many online casinos cater to the Japanese market.
Since Japan does not regulate online casinos, it is important for players in the region to play only at recommended Japanese online casinos and ensure the casino holds a legitimate license. A good example of a recommended casino catering to the Japanese market is PlayOJO, which offers over 2,000 games and more than 1,500 slot machines. Bons Casino, LuckyNiki, and many other gambling sites also offer similar products, warmly welcoming Japanese players.
Mahjong
Mahjong is an ancient Chinese game similar to Rummy, very popular in Asia and often used for gambling. Japan has about 7,000 mahjong parlors where customers can rent tables and bet against each other. Nowadays, many Japanese players play Mahjong online or in free mode to win money. There are various versions of Mahjong games, including traditional Mahjong cards, which you can play with others or against computer opponents.
Live Dealer Casino Games
Since Japan does not have physical casinos, live dealer casino games have become very popular as they offer all the excitement and thrill of a physical casino. Many online casinos have Japanese-speaking dealers, which further enhances the appeal of live dealer games for Japanese players.
Live dealer games include basic table games like Roulette and Blackjack, as well as specialty games like Lucky Wheel, which can be found in the live casino section of online casinos.
Takarakuji: Japanese Lottery
While some historians believe that lottery-like games existed in Japan as early as the Edo period (1603-1868), it was not until 1937 that Japan officially launched the national lottery, "Takarakuji". The lottery has no age restrictions. Even minors can purchase lottery tickets and participate in the draw, which contrasts sharply with many other age-restricted forms of gambling.
Texas Hold'em
Japan has over 3,500 professional Texas Hold'em players. Among them, 14 have earned over $1 million, with Masashi Oya earning over $5 million. Interestingly, Oya and many other high-income Japanese poker players remain active in 2024. This indicates that the popularity of this game in Japan has reached its peak, driven by the expansion of online poker. Japan enforces strict regulations prohibiting domestic poker sites, so Japanese poker enthusiasts play on international online poker platforms. GGPoker and PokerStars have become the preferred choices, hosting large communities of Japanese players.
Blackjack
Blackjack is another popular gambling game. Due to its simple and easy-to-understand rules, it is suitable for beginners at online casinos. In the online casino game library, you will find various versions of Blackjack for different skill levels. Live dealer Blackjack is highly recommended. This format allows you to interact with a live dealer and even chat with other players at the table, providing a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
Final Words
The landscape of Japan's gambling industry is changing, with integrated resorts set to open in 2030. Although Japan still strictly prohibits gambling, this has not stopped Japanese players from enjoying a variety of gambling games, from traditional Mahjong to contemporary online slot games, demonstrating their endless passion for gambling.
