Direction: slow IR-only liberalisation. A second licensing round is in preparation — a cabinet-order public-comment period ran August–December 2025, with an application window targeted for ~2026–2027; Hokkaido, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Yokosuka have signalled interest, and the government retains authority for up to two further IRs. Online gambling remains firmly prohibited with the regime tightening (September 2025 amendment). The Osaka IR targets an Autumn 2030 opening. Japan is a long-term monitoring jurisdiction for online operators, not a near-term entry opportunity.
Jurisdictions › Japan › Outlook
Japan · Question 11 of 11
Outlook: What is coming?
Unfavourable · Confirmed · AI-generated · Back to full Japan report →
Key section parameters
| Jurisdiction | Japan (JP) |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Recorded in register |
| Favourability | Unfavourable |
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Review status | AI-generated |
| Last collected | 18 Oct 2026 |
Summary answer
Direction: slow IR-only liberalisation. A second licensing round is in preparation — a cabinet-order public-comment period ran August–December 2025, with an application window targeted for ~2026–2027; Hokkaido, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Yokosuka have signalled interest, and the government retains authorit…