The emerging market of Japan is definitely another slightly complicated market. So where does one start from? Is gambling legal in Japan or isn't it? And what are Pachinkos?
Essentially, gambling in Japan was mostly banned throughout the country but there were always some exceptions here and there. Amongst these were lottery, horseracing, and Pachinko, which is basically a pinball-like game which enables players to play in the grey market, making it one of the most famous games in the country with over nine thousand parlours!
There are a lot of cultural aspects that one needs to understand in order to see how the gaming industry works there. For instance, luck-based games tend to have some culutrally negative connotations, which is why the most popular games and the legal ones are normally skill-based, like the examples above.
Another interesting point to the picture is the fact that in recent years there has been a lot of debate on the Integrated Resorts developments in the country. Whilst this project is in the midst of a lot of controversies and has a lot of opposition, mainly because of the cultural reception of gambling, at the same time things still seem to be slowly moving, and eventually, just the idea of the IR's will be already a big step in opening the doors to casino gaming. The country seems to be in the midst of reconciling its history and culture and the characteristic attitudes that come with it, with the economic fruition that the industry would bring with it.
And again, although luck-based gaming is still illegal in Japan, the law does not enforce this heavily, and players who are still interested can still find certain operators that offer games to the market. This complex maze requires some guidance, and so here's a compiled list by SiGMA showcasing some of the top, best, reliable and player-friendly, online casinos that offer games in the market.
1. Nitrocasino
NitroCasino understands that sometimes you win and well, sometimes you lose, so the casino offers a reward just for your gameplay. And when you take a look at the games you'll know exactly what you want to play, not to mention they're cool promotions such as 300 Free spins on Mondays if you play on Sunday; what a deal!
2. 21 Casino
This casino has a fantastic welcome pack, offering you amongst other things, 21 free spins on one of the world's most famous games, 'Book of Dead', and this is just when you put it your first deposit! The operator also offers a Casino Royal Loyalty program which makes you build points with every stake you make, which you can then redeem and get cash in return!
3. CherryCasino
Established in 1963, CherryCasino was and is, famous for being one of the oldest and most trusted online gaming sites in the world. Ever since the beginning, CherryCasino has attracted players that love a classic casino atmosphere. At CherryCasino you have the best casino games, including the biggest selection of Slots as well as Videoslots, Roulette, Black Jack, Table Games and Video Poker.
4. LeoVegas
One of the biggest online casinos there is, this is definitely a casino you can trust! You can experience a great selection of blackjack, roulette and baccarat in full-screen on your mobile phone and take the tables with you. This exceptional amusement comes courtesy of LeoVegas partnerships with top industry providers including NetEnt, Realistic Games, Play’n Go, Yggdrasil and Felt.
5.Bet365
"Innovation continues to be our lifeblood and we pride ourselves on the standards of customer service we deliver", is what you'll find on the iconic casino's site, and it is without a doubt the truth, seeing as they are at the forefront of the gaming industry, reaching over 53 million players in 20 different languages, and live streaming over 200,000 gaming events a year along with their great offerings in casino, poker, games, and bingo.
6. BetWinner
Available in over 50 languages with a 24/7 customer support, Betwinner offers live bets and with real-time live updating, lots of different live events, a fantastic variety of live casino providers, and in addition, a great selection of more than 140 different payment methods! The operator also offers a different range of side gambling like betting, poker, bingo and virtual racing.
7. Wunderino
Wunderino is a relatively new casino, founded in 2016, with key members having trickled down from some of the big players on the scene; a team that s rapidly growing, and whose main concern is targeting the mobile device market. So, players who prefer that as their playing device of choice are more likely to benefit more with the passing of time. To welcome you, you'll get up to a €100 and 30 free spins on your first deposit!
8. Megapari
Apart from offering scratchcards, slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker and live dealers, Megapari also offer sports betting and epsorts, with a variety ranging from football, to handball, futsal, beach volleyball, air hockey, and even darts, amongst many others! If you're going for sports, you'll instantly have a welcome bonus on the first deposit up to €100, whilst if you're going for casino and games, your welcome package can go up to €1500 and 150 free spins!
9. Melbet
MELbet Bookmaker broadcasts the best sporting events live. We also offer several kinds of lotteries and various TV-games. Additionally, it also offers plenty of additional markets on specific events in many sports: a run of play, team to score first, wins in time intervals, bets on stats (yellow/red cards, fouls etc.) Apart from sports it also offers esports, fast games, casino games, and some fantastic bonuses such as 200% first bonus deposit, 100% refund, and a fantastic welcome bonus!
About SiGMA Europe: SiGMA Europe will take place on February 16-18, 2021. Europe remains a leading market for gaming, making this the perfect opening gaming show for 2021. Join us for the 7th edition of SiGMA at the MFCC - Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, and explore how you can benefit from being a delegate, a sponsor, an exhibitor or a keynote speaker.