World

Online Gambling in Japan

Published

5 years ago

June 3, 2020

Gambling in Japan has been making news over the last few years for several reasons. In 2019, there were reports that the impending arrival of international casinos would push gross gaming revenues per year to $8 billion. This would make Japan among the three largest casino markets in the world.

Already, the annual gambling revenue from Japan’s homegrown pachinko industry stands over $283 billion. These projections thus highlight the potential in the market for both players and investors.

While these g revenue numbers are impressive, the restrictive gambling laws have curtailed the industry from growing to its full potential. There are thousands of entertainment parlours spread across the country, but the casino industry has not managed to enjoy such growth.

But things are now changing with more players opting to play at offshore casinos. One of the earliest companies that went into the Japanese online casino market was manekinekocasino.com.

The Integrated Resort Promotion Law is expected to open up the casino industry. However, players need to understand the gambling framework in the country to enjoy a safe and secure gambling experience.

Japan’s Gambling Laws in Brief

To appreciate the hype around the new Integrated Resort Promotion Law, you have to understand how far the industry has come. The legal framework guiding gambling in Japan dates back to a law made in 1907.

Under Article 185 of the country’s Penal Code, gambling is banned in the country. This law also provides details on the penalties for activities where winning or losing is by chance. Gambling laws draw a fine line to differentiate legal games of ‘skill’ and illegal luck-based games.

While gambling is a centuries-old practice in the country, stringent laws made an appearance when the national lottery was banned in 1842. While it made a comeback after World War II, there was no change in the restrictive gambling laws.

The only legal online gambling platform here is the lottery, Toto which means online casinos can’t get licenses in the country. However, there are sports legalised under special laws, including bicycle racing, motorcycle racing, horse racing, and powerboat racing. These fall under local governments or Government Corporation.

Japanese Soccer Pools and the public lottery are also exempt from the list of prohibited gambling activities in the country.

Popular Forms of Gambling in Japan

The mention of gambling in Japan mostly refers to the wildly popular Pachinko offered in gambling halls. While these establishments don’t offer traditional casino games, they bring in millions of dollars every year. They are the most popular gambling activities across the country.

The Japanese government also allows limited legal gambling in sports betting on selected sports.

Online Gambling in Japan

Japan has an internet penetration of over 92%. It is one of the most digitised countries in the world yet, the prohibitive gambling laws have hindered the development of this industry. Luckily, players can still access their favourite casino games at offshore casinos and sportsbooks.

The biggest casino brands and sportsbooks now accept local players and even local currency. Foreign-based casinos have offered respite to the industry as more players now sign up and play freely. What’s more, the mobile casino and betting revolution has hit the country. Many people now bet and play at casinos on the go.

Over 50% of the Japanese internet users have a smartphone, and this makes it easy to download apps or play at instant mobile casinos. These mobile casinos are also considered illegal but players can sign up easily, deposit, and withdraw money.

However, it’s up to the players to research any casinos and apps before playing to avoid losing money or fraud. They have to check where the online casino is licensed, reputation, and availability of customer support and security features.

Future of Online Gambling in Japan

Without any way to control this online gambling trend, the government has indicated its willingness to legalise gambling. The Integrated Resort Promotion Law enacted in 2016, and 2018 eased restrictions on land-based casinos. It gave hope to the industry that the government could soon start licensing local online casinos and sportsbooks.

World

Swiss International University Alerts Public About Fake Institutions Misusing Its Name

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2025

Jenny Jackson

Dubai, United Arab Emirates— Swiss International University (SIU) has issued a caveat about fraudulent institutions setting up their pretense of affiliation with the university. SIU has further clarified that it will have campuses only in 7 cities by 2025, while any further expansions or new openings of offices will be officially notified on its website, swissuniversity.com.

A hallmark of SIU has been the highest quality in global higher education, and the fraudsters took advantage of it by pretending to be the university. These scammers lure prospective students and partners with promises of guaranteed admissions, scholarships, or preferential treatment in exchange for exorbitant fees for services that are either shoddy or nonexistent.

In an official statement, the SIU emphasized that they do not authorize any third party or individual to represent the university outside any of the established campuses. Any further developments about expansion and new office openings shall be made known directly through the official website of the institution or via official press releases.

An SIU spokesperson stated, “Swiss International University stands for high-quality education, and we therefore take our brand integrity very seriously. We urge anyone approached by an entity claiming to represent SIU to verify the information on our official site. The increasing number of imposters is a matter of grave concern, and we are therefore actively working to stop them from taking further advantage.”

Among the scams in the UAE and several European countries, impostors offer guarantees that cannot be verified. In return, large sums of money are demanded for nonexistent or shoddy services.

The prestigious Swiss International University is known for its stringent academic programs and degrees recognized internationally, possessing campuses with modern facilities that stand as a testament to Swiss quality education. Their latest alert is directed at saving the prospective students from fraudulent establishments and assuring the students are dealing only with the authentic SIU.

To safeguard its good name and maintain transparency, the SIU now warns the public against dealing with any education agencies or representatives claiming to render SIU services to them without a clear confirmation of their official status. The university also issued a reminder that all admissions must be channeled through SIU alone, and a list of accredited SIU campuses in selected big cities across the globe can be obtained from its website.

As of now, the Swiss International University has campuses in seven cities: Dubai, Zurich, Bishkek, London, Riga, Lucerne, and Osh. These cities have been carefully picked to provide students with rich academic learning experiences and encourage international collaboration. In addition, SIU also assures that any announcement of a new office or campus branch would be made only through their official website, and it advises all students and stakeholders to confirm the veracity of such claims before disbursing any monies.

For more information on Swiss International University and its programs, visit the website.