Japan maintains a complete ban on sports betting and is not considering its legalization. Unlike most countries, the focus is not on regulating the market, but on fundamentally excluding betting from the sports system.
Government position
🔵 Recent discussions have reaffirmed the legislative stance against legalizing betting
🔵 Betting is viewed as a risk to professional sport
🔵 The priority is preventing match-fixing and protecting athletes and referees
Measures being developed
🔴 Formalized mechanisms to combat match-fixing are being established
🔴 A separate focus is placed on protecting athletes and officials from external pressure
🔴 Investigative and preventive measures are being discussed without opening a betting market
Why this is fundamental for Japan
🔵 In 1969, Japanese baseball players were permanently banned for involvement in match-fixing linked to underground gambling
🔵 Betting money directly influenced player behavior and match outcomes
🔵 Since then, the position has remained unchanged: regardless of whether betting is legal or illegal, betting itself creates incentives to influence sport
Current risk signals
🔴 Social media has made access to athletes and officials easier
🔴 International networks manipulate sporting events across 44 countries
🔴 Recent cases highlight pressure points both on athletes themselves (the case of J. League player Riku Danzaki) and on their close circles (the case of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara)
What is happening in the market
🔵 Despite the ban, betting continues via offshore websites
🔵 Platforms operate in Japanese and offer bets on domestic leagues
🔵 In 2024, betting volume through offshore operators amounted to at least ¥6.5 trillion
🔵 A significant share of players do not perceive such betting as a violation of the law
Conclusion
For Japan, legalizing betting would mean integrating betting into the sports system. This would shift the focus from protecting sporting integrity to managing financial interests around sport. As a result, the country prefers to maintain the ban, even while recognizing the limitations of this approach.
🔵 Recent discussions have reaffirmed the legislative stance against legalizing betting
🔵 Betting is viewed as a risk to professional sport
🔵 The priority is preventing match-fixing and protecting athletes and referees
Measures being developed
🔴 Formalized mechanisms to combat match-fixing are being established
🔴 A separate focus is placed on protecting athletes and officials from external pressure
🔴 Investigative and preventive measures are being discussed without opening a betting market
Why this is fundamental for Japan
🔵 In 1969, Japanese baseball players were permanently banned for involvement in match-fixing linked to underground gambling
🔵 Betting money directly influenced player behavior and match outcomes
🔵 Since then, the position has remained unchanged: regardless of whether betting is legal or illegal, betting itself creates incentives to influence sport
Current risk signals
🔴 Social media has made access to athletes and officials easier
🔴 International networks manipulate sporting events across 44 countries
🔴 Recent cases highlight pressure points both on athletes themselves (the case of J. League player Riku Danzaki) and on their close circles (the case of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara)
What is happening in the market
🔵 Despite the ban, betting continues via offshore websites
🔵 Platforms operate in Japanese and offer bets on domestic leagues
🔵 In 2024, betting volume through offshore operators amounted to at least ¥6.5 trillion
🔵 A significant share of players do not perceive such betting as a violation of the law
Conclusion
For Japan, legalizing betting would mean integrating betting into the sports system. This would shift the focus from protecting sporting integrity to managing financial interests around sport. As a result, the country prefers to maintain the ban, even while recognizing the limitations of this approach.