Betting In Japan – The Limits In All Forms Of Gambling
Betting In Japan And Gambling Laws
When it comes to Asian cultures, they have a long history of gambling and you can find evidence of this going back over 4,500 years. It’s generally considered that many of the gambling games played today all over the world, have their origins within Asia. Today Japan is a country with strict rules and regulations, along with being very traditional. You’ll find that nearly all betting in Japan is restricted. But there are several notable exceptions. Today we’re going to have a look at the history of gambling. As well as gambling activities that Japanese players can partake in.
History of Gambling Laws In Japan
The first gambling game that was invented was a game called “Ban-Sugoroku” which evolved from a Chinese game known as “Shuanglu.” Today we would consider both games as being very similar to the modern game of backgammon. The game dates back to before the birth of Christ. It was incredibly popular by the time of the early Middle Ages, though it was to be banned for a number of years, only to be legalised again in the 1200s.
Since then, a number of gambling games have gained in popularity and these included lotteries and dice games. In 1907, the Japanese government decided to legalise gambling and betting activities. But only in a limited number of sports and games. The sports included horse racing, motorcycle racing, bicycle racing, and powerboat racing. As for other gambling activities, these were Pachinko, bingo, and the lottery. Since then not a great deal has changed. The first thing we should point out is that the legal age for betting in Japan is 20 years old.
Sports Betting In Japan – History & Betting Rules
Today sports betting in Japan is the foundation of the whole gambling industry. The list of available sports is the same as that first formulated in 1907. This means it is limited to motorsports and horse racing. But if you scratch the surface of the public, you’ll find that online gambling is very popular, as players flock to try and win the jackpot online. But no one wants to admit it. If you’re a Japanese gambler, then we suggest that you check out King Billy Casino. They can accept players from Japan. They also offer a huge welcome bonus for all new players of 151% up to €/$500 plus 51 bonus spins.
Horse Racing in Japan
Horse racing is one of the most popular forms of betting in Japan today. There are 25 main horse race tracks in the country. Many of the horse breeders and the champion horses are of Japanese origin. These Japanese horses are slightly different from their Western counterparts in that they are known for their strength and endurance. Pari-Mutuel betting or pool betting as it’s better known makes up around 80% of all gambling on horse racing. Because horse racing is a traditional adventure then you’ll find that Japanese laws are harsher towards this sport than with others.
Keirin – Bicycle Racing Betting in Japan
Bicycle racing is another very popular sport for betting in Japan. But not in the context we see it in use in the West. For example, the largest races are such things as the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia, which are essentially road races. In Japan, what’s more, popular is racing at speed on an oval track. The word “Kierin” means “racing cycle,” and that sums up what the sport is all about. You can see the sports in the Olympic Games where it was introduced in 2000, though the World Championships dates back to 1980. The track itself is 1.5 km long.
All the participants must drive behind a motorcycle, which is gradually increasing its speed for every lap. The sport is both challenging and dangerous, as speeds can reach up to 80 km an hour
Motorsport Racing in Japan
As you well know, the most famous motorcycle brands come from Japan. These include such revered names as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Honda. Note that though the Japanese government is strict when it comes to betting on motorsports, the public can still bet on races. Keep in mind that the Japanese also host the F1 Championships. You’ll also find MotoGP is very popular for sports betting in Japan.
Boat racing – Kyōtei Betting
Another motorsport that receives a lot of gambling bets is Kyōtei, which translates as “boat racing.” It was first introduced in 1950 and gradually became more and more mainstream, until it became a popular trend in Japanese motorsports. Japan has over 20 boat racing tracks and they are essentially an oval-shaped canal that has a length of around 600 m. These motorboats are capable of going at extreme speeds and the sport is pretty dangerous. In fact, there are many serious incidents during every racing season. Betting is based, not just on boat ranking, but also on the horsepower of the different boats
Lottery Games Betting in Japan – Takarakuji
Playing the lottery is by far and away the most popular gambling activity in Japan. There are three main types of Japanese lottery games. These include unique number lotteries, selected number lotteries, and of course, the ubiquitous scratchcards. As far as which is the best lottery to play, that’s hard to say. The tickets are on sale for between ¥100 and ¥500, though the prices can go well beyond ¥100 million. The gambling laws dictate that 50% of the total amount of money collected must go to the winner. The remaining 50% is normally for charities and organisations that dedicate themselves to Japanese society.
Pachinko – The Traditional Japanese Gambling Game
When visiting Japan then you’ll see that probably one of the most noticeable games is Pachinko, which is both famous and popular all over Japan. Pachinko is a unique game that you can only find in Japan. It features row upon row of big pinball-like machines. There are over 13,000 Pachinko parlours across Japan and every year the numbers seem to increase. We mentioned that the game looks like a pinball machine, and in some ways, it works in a similar manner. Except that a typical Pachinko machine can drop over 100 balls in a minute.
Take Your Seat in The Pachinko Parlour
When you first enter the Pachinko parlour, you make your way to the lobby, where you will exchange real cash for a basket of small shiny steel balls. The price varies between ¥1 to ¥100 for each ball. Now you take your basket of balls and find a seat in front of the machine you’d like to play at. The idea here is that in order to accumulate any winnings you need to put the balls into the correct holes. Different combinations will bring more bonuses in exactly the same way that a pinball machine might. Except that in this case there are many balls at play.
One of the most notable aspects of the Pachinko parlour is the sheer noise of the metal balls and the machines. You can hear this racket in the street as you’re passing. All Pachinko parlours are overflowing with people at all times. But to say that it’s a form of betting in Japan is difficult. It’s more akin to gambling on a slots machine. Both games don’t require any jackpot winning strategies. If you want to play the most immersive and exciting slots on the internet, then head over to King Billy Casino. They have a massive selection to play, all sorts of bonuses and the prizes are much bigger than you’d ever find playing Pachinko.
How To Cash Out Pachinko
There’s no real surprise as to why it’s such popular gambling activity. It’s for the same reasons you’ll find that the jackpot slots are the most popular game in the casino. Essentially, it’s because both are incredibly simple to play and at the same time offer an immersive and entertaining experience. What’s interesting is how you cash out in a Japanese Pachinko parlour. Technically the parlour can’t give you any cash. So when you finish, you will be able to exchange the balls for all types of items such as electronic devices, packs of cigarettes, and bottles of alcohol. But this being Japan, you’ll find that around the back of the parlour or nearby, there will be a shop that will exchange these unopened goods for cash.
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