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.

We list no crypto casinos for Japan. This page covers what the law says, what is legal instead, how crypto itself is regulated and taxed, and where to get free help.

Online casinos: illegal Checked 7 Oct 2026 Sourced, not legal advice

By Emily Thompson Updated Oct 6, 2026

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.

Online casinos Illegal

Promoting them Banned since Sep 2025

Public racing, lotteries, toto Legal

Buying crypto Legal at FSA-registered exchanges

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).

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 no casinos?

Online casino play is illegal for people in Japan, so we show no ranking, offers or casino links here. Read our responsible gaming page if gambling is a concern.

Help in Japan