Crypto casinos in Japan: online casino play is illegal
Playing at an online casino counts as gambling under chapter 23 of Japan's Penal Code, and that includes offshore sites that take Bitcoin or USDT. Since 25 September 2025 the amended Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures also bans offering online casino sites to people in Japan and spreading information that steers them there.
The crypto casinos listed here are offshore sites that accept players from Japan, according to our data. Playing at them is gambling under the Penal Code, with a fine for simple gambling and prison for habitual gambling. Check the law and decide for yourself. Below are what is legal instead, how crypto is regulated and taxed, and where to get free help.
- Status
- Prohibited online casinos, offshore included
- Law
- Penal Code chapter 23, art. 185–186
- Promotion ban
- 25 Sep 2025 Act No. 76 of 2025 in force
- Casino resorts
- None open Osaka plan approved 2023
- Help
- 0120-683-705 free, 24 hours
Legal status
Is crypto gambling legal in Japan?
Short answer
No, online casinos are illegal
Japanese law treats play at an online casino as gambling wherever the site is licensed. Article 185 of the Penal Code punishes simple gambling with a fine and article 186 punishes habitual gambling with prison. The 2025 amendment adds a ban on running online casino sites for people in Japan and on promoting them, including on social media.
Paying in crypto does not move the play outside Japanese law.
DLA Piper: online gambling in Japan (2 Oct 2025) · Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications press release (25 Sep 2025).
For players
Can I play at a crypto casino from Japan?
No. Online casino play is illegal gambling under the Penal Code, and the coin you pay with does not change that. Since September 2025 operating or advertising an online casino aimed at Japan is banned as well, so a site that markets itself to Japanese players is doing something Japanese law forbids.
Legal gambling in Japan is limited to public racing, the takarakuji lotteries and toto.
What is legal
Gambling in Japan, activity by activity
| Activity | Status | In plain words |
|---|---|---|
| Online casino, crypto or fiat | Illegal | Gambling under Penal Code chapter 23, offshore sites included. |
| Running or promoting an online casino for Japan | Banned | Amended Basic Act, in force 25 Sep 2025. |
| Horse, bicycle, boat and motorcycle racing | Legal | Run by public bodies. |
| Takarakuji lotteries and toto | Legal | Public lotteries and football pools. |
| Integrated-resort casino | None open | Osaka's plan was approved in April 2023. |
Gambling in Japan (Wikipedia) · DLA Piper (Oct 2025) · Las Vegas Sun: Osaka plan approved (14 Apr 2023).
Timeline
How the rules on online casinos and crypto changed
- 14 Apr 2023 Japan approves Osaka's integrated-resort plan, the first casino project.
- 18 Jun 2025 Diet enacts the amendment to the Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures (Act No. 76 of 2025).
- 25 Sep 2025 Ban on offering and promoting online casinos to people in Japan takes effect.
- 15 Jul 2026 Diet passes the bill moving crypto under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act; it takes effect within a year.
- Oct 2026 Online casino play still illegal. You are here.
MIC (25 Sep 2025) · DLA Piper (2 Oct 2025) · The Block (15 Jul 2026) · Las Vegas Sun (14 Apr 2023).
Crypto and tax
How Japan taxes crypto gains
Buying and holding crypto is legal in Japan. Gains are taxed when you dispose of the coins.
| Situation | Tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Selling, swapping or spending crypto at a gain | Miscellaneous income, taxed at progressive rates of up to about 55% |
| Planned change | A separate rate of about 20% for trades on FSA-licensed exchanges, planned from 1 January 2028 |
| Unregistered crypto operators | Penalty rises to up to 10 years in prison under the 2026 law |
The Block: Japan passes crypto bill (15 Jul 2026). Neutral summary with sources, checked 7 Oct 2026. Not legal or tax advice.
Buying crypto
Regulated places to buy crypto in Japan
Buying coins at a registered exchange is legal. Sending them to an online casino is not.
| Platform type | Status |
|---|---|
| FSA-registered crypto-asset exchange service providers | Listed by the Financial Services Agency |
| Unregistered offshore exchanges | Not registered to serve Japan |
FSA: list of registered crypto-asset exchange service providers (fsa.go.jp).
Offshore listing Live
Crypto casinos that accept players from Japan
Internationally licensed sites that take players from Japan, according to our data. Playing at an online casino is gambling under Japan's Penal Code wherever the site is licensed.
| Crypto casino | Welcome offer | Coins accepted | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
1
Booty Casino
|
¥300,000 + 888 FS | BTC ETH USDC TRX LTC +2 | |
2
MetaSpins
|
¥400,000 | BTC USDC | |
3
BC.GAME
|
¥3,000,000 + 1 FS | BTC ETH USDT TRX SOL +5 | |
4
Reels.io
|
¥300,000 | BTC ETH USDT XRP | |
5
Rainbet
|
¥300,000 + 60 FS | BTC USDC XRP BCH ADA | |
6
Slotsite
|
¥200,000 + 210 FS | BTC | |
7
Mega Dice
|
1 BTC + 50 FS | – | |
8
Flush
|
¥400,000 | BTC ETH USDT USDC TRX +4 | |
9
Cybet
|
¥70,000 + 50 FS | BTC ETH USDC TRX SOL +3 | |
10
7Bit Casino
|
¥800,000 + 250 FS | BTC ETH LTC DOGE |
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
Crypto casinos in Japan: FAQ
Is it legal to use a crypto casino in Japan?
No. Playing at an online casino is gambling under chapter 23 of the Penal Code, whether the site is licensed abroad or pays out in crypto.
What did the 2025 law change?
The amendment to the Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures, in force since 25 September 2025, bans offering online casino sites or apps to people in Japan and spreading information that encourages them to play, including on social media.
What gambling is legal in Japan?
Horse, bicycle, powerboat and motorcycle racing run by public bodies, the takarakuji lotteries and the toto football pools. No integrated-resort casino is open yet.
Is buying crypto legal in Japan?
Yes, through exchanges registered with the Financial Services Agency. A law passed in July 2026 moves crypto under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and raises penalties for unregistered operators.
How are crypto gains taxed in Japan?
As miscellaneous income at progressive rates of up to about 55%. A separate rate of about 20% is planned from 2028 for trades on FSA-licensed exchanges.
Why does this page list offshore crypto casinos?
It shows the internationally licensed crypto casinos that accept players from Japan, according to our data. None is legal for players in Japan: the Penal Code treats play there as gambling wherever the site is licensed. Read our responsible gaming page if gambling is a concern.
Help in Japan
Free help with gambling in Japan
Gambling Addiction Prevention and Recovery Support Center
Free phone line, 24 hours a day: 0120-683-705.
gaprsc.or.jp →Gambling Therapy
Free online support by chat, forum and email, in several languages, for players and their families.
gamblingtherapy.org →Set limits first
Our guide to deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion tools, and how they work with crypto.
Responsible gaming →Other countries Live
Crypto casino rules in other countries
Guides
