Why Japan Is at the Forefront of Online Gambling Innovation
By Space Coast Daily // March 29, 2021
When you think about the technology that is transforming online gambling, the majority of it is prominent in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has a powerful link with wagering, so it’s no surprise that the likes of virtual and augmented reality headsets and live casino games are at the forefront of the Japanese industry.
However, the reasons why they are there might surprise some people. After all, why do the Japanese like to bet? Why do they love gambling innovation? Will the trend continue in the long-term? Let’s take a look.
The History of Gaming
The country had to change the way it operates throughout the 20th-century as economic troubles meant it needed to invest money back into businesses and peoples’ homes. To do that, it started to focus on the development of gaming tech in the mid-1900s.
A prime example was the Atari console, which was released in the 1980s to much fanfare. More hardware followed, such as the Nintendo, along with iconic titles likes Pac-Man, Pong and Space Invaders. As the online betting sector in Japan has expanded, it’s only logical that Japan has moved with the times and used its base to steal a march on the competition. That’s why recommended online casinos in Japan today feature everything from VR to cryptocurrency transactions.
The Love of Gaming & Gambling
A direct knock-on of Japan’s history with gaming is that the nation’s residents have a love for the hobby. For instance, Pachinko is a game that originates from Japan, and it has the biggest revenues among its rivals. Football betting pools are also incredibly in-demand. Both utilise gambling to attract people to play as this element incorporates more excitement.
Pachinko, for instance, lets winners trade tickets for prizes and cash at registered booths. Although these aren’t digital games, they do give people a taste for entertainment. As a result, it’s easy to see why online wagering is huge, and why innovative tech is developed on Japan’s shores.
Offshore Platforms
Technically, online gambling in Japan is prohibited. As a result, you would expect the legislation to set the industry back, yet this isn’t the case. It hasn’t happened because offshore platforms have helped to enhance the Japanese market.
After all, they aren’t based in the country, which means they are available to play for anyone who wants to place a wager. With the interest in online gambling skyrocketing due to offshore providers, it makes sense for the nation to invest in gambling innovation since citizens will get to experience the superior quality the sector has to offer.
Going All-In
Finally, Japan is going all-in regarding gambling. This isn’t only from a digital perspective, but a land-based one too. Yokohama has already revealed the city’s plans to host a resort.
Combine this with the push towards remote wagering, and it highlights how the nation is going all-in with the hand it has been dealt. That means building on the foundations already in use, such as Japan’s expertise in the electronics market. Of course, the fact the area has some of the best internet speeds in the world also helps!
Japan is at the forefront of gambling innovation for several reasons. Whether it will remain there is still to be seen, but the omens look healthy.
