How to Choose a Legal Online Casino? How to Identify a Legal Online Casino Where You Can Play with Confidence in JapanBy Angelica Malin
When it comes to playing online casinos, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Gambling is illegal in Japan, but are online casinos legal?” I think it is the question.
On this page, we will explain in detail whether online casinos are illegal or legal and how to choose a legal online casino. One of the criteria for being a legitimate online casino is that it must be officially recognized by the government of each country.
Other factors include the presence or absence of a check by an accounting and auditing firm, but you should be aware that some online casinos are notoriously unreliable.
Also, please check out our recommended online casinos ranking page, where we introduce the legal online casinos that we also trust and play at. We rank the actual reviews of legal online casinos that we as well as our readers have actually played at.
How to Choose a Legitimate Online Casino
The criteria for choosing an online casino will differ from player to player, but the requirement that the online casino is safe to play at and reliable should not be missed.
Let’s take a look at how to choose a legal online casino where you can play with confidence.
Are online casinos legal?
In principle, gambling is prohibited in Japan, and only state-run gambling such as lotteries and horse races are allowed. Pachinko, which is not state-run gambling, is not considered to be illegal gambling because it is operated under the system of prize exchange and the three-shop system.
So are online casinos illegal gambling? Online casinos themselves are not illegal gambling.
Why are online casinos not illegal? Because the company that operates the online casino meets the requirements of “the online casino is operated in a country where online casinos are legal” and “the company has obtained an operating license issued by the government of each country”. It is the same as playing casino overseas.
Examples of online casinos that are illegal
Have you ever seen the news that someone was arrested or caught playing online casino in an internet cafe? These are called “in-casinos” and are completely different from the “online casinos” that we introduce on this site.
So why is there a difference between things that are arrested and prosecuted for the same content and things that are not?
The answer is very simple: “Where do you exchange money?
- Incaji exchanges winning money on the spot (in Japan, inside an internet cafe).
- Online casinos, on the other hand, use dedicated overseas deposit and withdrawal payments (e.g. Ecopays, Venus Points, etc.) to transfer winnings.
The difference is so great that any online casino where money is exchanged on the spot is illegal.
How to identify a legal online casino where you can play safely
Because online casinos are casinos that can be played on the Internet, many people may distrust them, thinking that it will be easy to cheat or that they may not be able to withdraw money from a bad casino.
In the past, there have actually been dark online casinos that cheat and manipulate players’ winnings, or make false accusations and refuse to accept withdrawals, then close the site and run away with the money.
In fact, there are two types of online casinos: those that have the proper government permits and operate under the public eye, and those that do not.
Nowadays, the number of such malicious online casinos is decreasing because the system to protect players is getting better, but it is not completely zero. That’s why it’s important to choose a reliable online casino where you can play with confidence.
Availability of licenses issued by governments around the world
One of the most common factors in choosing a reliable and legal online casino is the license.
Legal online casinos have an official license to operate in their respective countries and are based overseas. Online casinos that are licensed to operate are those that have been approved by the government and have passed even stricter screening standards. For this reason, online casinos that hold an operating license can be used with confidence.
Most online casinos will clearly state that they have this operating license, so be sure to check it out when playing online casinos. Check if there is a licensed image in the “Operator Information” or “License” section of the official online casino website.
Third-party certification
Whether or not an online casino has been audited by a third-party auditing agency is also a good measure of its reliability. These third-party auditing organizations regularly audit online casinos to ensure that they are safe and fair. They are independent and have no affiliation with the online casinos they audit, so they are able to conduct their audits from an impartial standpoint.
Some of the leading third-party auditing organizations that audit online casinos are eCOGRA, GLI and TST.
However, there are some major online casinos that have not been audited by a third party, so not being audited does not mean you cannot trust them.
The license issued by each country is required to operate, but the certification by a third party audit organization is not, so it is better to use it as one of the factors to judge the reliability.
The certification of the third party audit organization is also clearly stated in an obvious place (such as the top page) as well as the license, so please check them together.
Excellent support system for users
Online casinos are equipped with a variety of support systems.
Email and contact forms are available at almost all casinos, and many offer phone support. The most popular of these is chat support, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Zipangu Casino Group.
Some casinos have limited hours for Japanese chat support, but many casinos have English chat available at any time. If you’re confident in your English, this one’s for you too!
What to expect when playing an online casino
Online casinos are very easy to play at. They are becoming very popular because of their ease of use, but on the other hand, there are some pitfalls that come with ease. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the terms of use, adjust your deposit amount, and follow the rules of play.
Be sure to read the User Agreement
“Many players only read the terms and conditions when they receive a bonus. However, if you are playing at a new casino or making your first deposit, make sure you read the terms and conditions of the casino.
The terms and conditions clearly state how long it takes to withdraw, the withdrawal terms and conditions, the deposit and withdrawal methods you can use, the support hours, the betting limits (which are seldom when there is no bonus), and other important information to play with.
It’s easy to skip over the terms and conditions, but they often vary from casino to casino, so make sure you read them when you sign up for a new casino! Please make it a habit to read them when you register at a new casino.
Deposits and withdrawals with room to spare
Most online casinos now allow you to deposit with a credit card. This is very easy to do, but it can also be dangerous! You may find yourself maxed out. Remember to keep track of how much you are spending.
If you’re still worried about overspending, you can use an app to keep track of your earnings. You can easily keep track of your earnings for a day, a week, or a month, so it’s recommended.
Enjoy it as entertainment with a relaxed mind.
Casinos are social clubs for adults.
Did you know that there is a dress code in casinos overseas? For men, there are not many casinos where you can wear shorts and sandals. On the other hand, online casinos are very attractive because you can play in your pajamas while lying down at home. However, the sense of security of being in the same environment, as usual, tends to cause players to place large bets. This is especially true when you are trying to win back the money you lost.
When that happens, think of it as if you were in an overseas casino. If you don’t have enough money to pay for your flight home…you can’t go home. Even if you are playing online, you should play in a casino with an open mind.
Summary
On this page, we have briefly explained how to choose a legal online casino where you can play with confidence.
Online casinos are still not well known in Japan and people tend to avoid them, but if you can choose a legal online casino, there are many advantages of online casinos such as “you can play more comfortably and happily than in a real casino” and “you can keep your transportation and accommodation costs as they are”.
All of the online casinos that we introduce on the site are based on our own research and actual play, so you can play with peace of mind.
