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Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West
Current State of the Market (2024)
How would you describe the current state of the iGaming market in Japan in 2024? Have there been any significant milestones or shifts this year?
Despite the uncertainty of how the future Police campaigns will change the iGaming landscape in Japan, the number of online casino users including sports bettors seems to be growing steadily, and more online casinos are entering the Japanese market. One thing in common within the industry is that companies no longer hire anyone based in Japan for the Japanese market.
What are the most popular types of games or gambling activities among Japanese players right now?
Social casino games are on the up. Besides Pachinko-type slots, Plinko, Crash and Hi-Lo are increasingly popular among casino players.
How has the regulatory environment evolved in 2024? Have there been any notable changes that impacted operators or consumers?
In 2024, the Japanese Police arrested more people than the previous years in relation to use of online casinos. Streamers have become a clear target as well as payment providers based in Japan. Encouraged by the current Prime Minister’s support, the Police declared in August that they would investigate more iGaming affiliates and online casino operators even outside Japan. The Police made over 100 arrests so far in 2024 in relation to use of online casinos.
With more risks associated with promoting online casinos, streamers command higher fees than ever. Some YouTubers are migrating to other platforms trying to avoid detection by the Police.
What role has mobile gaming played in shaping the iGaming market in Japan, and how does it compare to desktop or other platforms?
Japan is a mobile market. Over 70% of players play on a mobile phone. As they are also technology-driven people, the usability of the casino platform on mobile phones could be the key to acquire and retain players. Those operators who study the Japanese mobile players’ behaviour and preferences would have enjoyed better results in both casino and sports betting in 2024.
Have advancements in technology, such as blockchain or virtual reality, been widely adopted in Japan’s iGaming sector?
More and more people are shifting to using cryptocurrency when they play online casinos. The demographics of crypt users are also wider in Japan. User age could be up to 60.
Challenges and Opportunities
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing operators and other stakeholders in the Japanese market?
Japan is an affiliate-driven market. The affiliate/ streamer costs are expected to increase as the risks increase. As direct marketing i.e. through local media is limited, boosting brand awareness can be tricky. You have to come up with creative ideas and catch the right moment.
With increasing competition from both local and international operators, how are companies differentiating themselves to attract Japanese players?
To start with, operators tend to hire native Japanese speakers to make sure the site is fully localized and to meet the needs of Japanese users. Then the branding. They also tend to offer bonuses and promotions that are appealing to Japanese users.
Are there any notable examples of successful partnerships between operators and local entities or institutions in Japan?
Live streaming providers and fighting event organisers are known to work with operators well.
How do you think offshore and unlicensed operators affect the market landscape and trust among consumers?
Not many unlicensed operators are known or promoted in the Japanese market.
Looking Ahead to 2025
What key trends or developments do you expect to emerge in Japan’s iGaming market in 2025?
More new Japanese players via social media would play at online casinos in 2025. More deposits will be made in cryptocurrency.
Are there specific regulatory reforms or discussions that might significantly impact the market next year?
The Police investigation efforts might impact the market, depending on who is involved and when they happen.
With the market’s growth, do you foresee new entrants, both local and international, establishing a foothold in Japan?
I expect to see more newcomers in the Japanese market, as they have room for growth. Having said that, they might struggle in the competition unless they have strong branding and region-specific strategies.
How important is localization for operators planning to enter or expand in the Japanese iGaming market? What should they prioritize?
It is extremely important to have the site fully localized. It is the top priority. Some affiliates don’t even work with you unless your site is fully localized and provides good Japanese customer support.
What technological innovations do you believe will drive growth in the iGaming sector in Japan in 2025?
Any functionality that brings about a community feel and better usability for users.
Insights and Predictions
Do you think Japan will ever move towards a more unified or liberal regulatory framework for online gambling? If so, what might catalyze this change?
Land casinos have been legalized and one is expected to be built in Osaka by 2030. Unfortunately, there is no sign of this new move being extended to online gambling in the near future. The government is opposed to it.
What advice would you give to iGaming companies looking to launch in Japan or expand their presence in 2025?
Look out for any new on the Police investigations on operators based outside Japan and any arrest of affiliates. You make sure to have native Japanese speakers to oversee the latest developments.
How do you see Japanese consumers’ preferences evolving in terms of gameplay, payment systems, and interaction with platforms?
Players always liked everything fast, but now they like it faster. Expectation of faster service in payments, game loading, support’s response, etc is higher than ever.
They also tend to like the feeling of ‘belonging’ whether as in VIP, community chat, player-to player activities.
Broader Market Perspectives
Lastly, what excites you the most about the future of iGaming in Japan?
As Japanese people are more familiar with international sporting events with live streaming services, I believe that the sports betting market will grow in the future. There have been talks within the government to legalize sports betting, too.
The post Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Soft2Bet shortlisted for 8 honours at 2025 WIG Diversity Awards
Soft2Bet, a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider that delivers high-quality products and services for online gambling operators, has been shortlisted in eight headline categories at the 2025 Women in Gaming (WIG) Diversity & Inclusion Awards, scheduled for 5 June at London’s Savoy Hotel. The WIG Diversity & Inclusion Awards honour outstanding contributions across areas such as innovation, inclusive culture, community impact, and business leadership within the global gaming sector. This recognition follows a year of high performance results, new deals, new brand launches, platform, MEGA product growth, and leadership recognition, underscoring Soft2Bet’s dual strength as a technology provider and an employer of choice.
Shortlisted categories
- B2B Excellence (Company)
- Best Diverse Place to Work
- Community Engagement
- Company of the Year (Supplier)
- Great Place to Work
- Innovator
- Leader of the Year and Positive Role Model of the Year (Supplier) – CMO at Soft2Bet
“These nominations are a powerful endorsement of our teams, our strategic leadership, industry impact, and our unwavering commitment to excellence in key European markets where our brands and products consistently deliver top-tier performance,” said Oksana Tsyhankova, Chief Marketing Officer at Soft2Bet.
The shortlisting for Best Diverse Place to Work and Great Place to Work reflects the company’s internal progress: women now occupy 60% of leadership roles and team members from nine nationalities contribute to product development and strategy through initiatives like the Culture Squad and the Make a Difference platform.
Over the past year, Soft2Bet doubled its EBITDA, secured licenses in Ontario, Sweden, Romania, Spain, etc., announced new brands, new sponsorships on highly competitive markets, such as as Nordics and Ontario, and prepared for its first U.S. launch in New Jersey, bringing its total to 19 licenses across 12 jurisdictions.
Soft2Bet being shortlisted as B2B excellence is reflected in a robust portfolio of 13 consumer brands and industry recognition for both our proprietary platform and standout products such as MEGA, which continue to redefine engagement and innovation in regulated markets.
Earlier in 2025, Soft2Bet earned three titles at the European – Global Banking & Finance / Sustainability & ESG Awards, recognising Soft2Bet’s ongoing pursuit of innovation, its focus on delivering exceptional customer value, its strong AML measures, and overall commitment to compliance standards and sustainability across key European markets.
The post Soft2Bet shortlisted for 8 honours at 2025 WIG Diversity Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SPORTFIVE Expands Global Media Production Services With Athlete-Focused Division
SPORTFIVE, a leading international sports marketing agency, has announced the continued growth of its global media production services, reinforcing its position as a creative and strategic partner to rightsholders, brands and athletes worldwide.
An Integrated Approach To Athlete Content
With increasing demand for high-quality, digital-first storytelling across sport, SPORTFIVE has scaled its production capabilities across multiple markets – enhancing its ability to deliver original content, multi-platform campaigns, and athlete-led narratives at speed and at scale. As part of this evolution, the agency has brought together and formalized its athlete content expertise into a focused division dedicated to developing and producing bespoke media products for talent: the Global Athlete Media House. Integrated within SPORTFIVE’s broader production offering, this team delivers tailored strategies and cross-channel content that supports athletes in building long-term personal brands.
SPORTFIVE has long been a trusted partner for athletes seeking to strengthen their presence beyond the pitch, court, or track. From building digital identities and launching social media profiles, to producing documentaries and long-form content, the agency has played a pivotal role in helping athletes engage fans and position themselves as global media personalities.
Notable work includes Jürgen Klopp’s Instagram launch (@Kloppo), Manuel Neuer’s entry into the Chinese market via Weibo and Xiaohongshu, and Rio Ferdinand’s Tipping Point documentary with Amazon Prime Video. More recently, SPORTFIVE supported the Becker Petkovic Podcast, launched during the 2025 Australian Open, which quickly became one of the most popular tennis podcasts in German-speaking markets.
The Global Athlete Media House builds on this foundation, offering services across four key pillars:
Social Media
Custom content and platform strategy tailored to each athlete’s brand and audience.
Podcast Formats
Concept development, production, and distribution of athlete-hosted audio and video formats.
Off-Court PR
Media activations and storytelling designed to extend athlete relevance beyond competition.
Original Content
From branded videos to full-scale documentaries, creating high-quality stories that resonate globally.
These services are available not only to SPORTFIVE-represented athletes, but also to brands, rightsholders, and external talent seeking strategic, athlete-first media production.
“Athletes today are more than just sports professionals – they are brands, creators, and entrepreneurs. At SPORTFIVE, we recognized early on that authentic, high-quality content is essential for building long-term athlete brands. With the Global Athlete Media House, we are taking the next step by combining our expertise and services in one department. This provides not only our own athletes with a range of services but also extends these to external partners.” said Ron Wiegand, Senior Vice President Global Athlete & Team Marketing, SPORTFIVE.
The post SPORTFIVE Expands Global Media Production Services With Athlete-Focused Division appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Yaspa shortlisted for two prestigious gambling industry awards
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Real-time payment provider nominated for safer gambling and innovation accolades
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London-based company was awarded government grant to develop unique responsible gambling solution
London, April 29, 2025 – Real-time payment provider Yaspa has been shortlisted for two prestigious gambling industry awards.
The London-based company is named among the nominees for Innovation in Payments Solutions and Safer Gambling Software Supplier at the forthcoming EGR B2B Awards.
Now in their 16th year, the EGR B2B Awards are known for recognising excellence in service providers in the gambling industry, rewarding those truly leading the way in innovation, reliability and client service. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in London on July 3.
Yaspa enables smooth, simple and secure instant payments through open banking for a range of partners. It works with online and offline gambling industry businesses, including Playbook Engineering, Novibet, NetBet, Casino Lugano and White Hat Gaming.
In 2024 Yaspa was awarded an Innovate UK grant to continue to develop its Intelligent Payments solution – a unique B2B platform that combines open banking technology and AI to help gambling operators identify vulnerable players in a frictionless manner. It is designed to empower businesses by combining Pay by Bank transactions, AI-powered verification, and real-time risk assessment into a seamless, secure experience.
In the gambling sector, Yaspa is able to help operators support responsible gambling with access to player transaction data at the point of deposit, delivering real-time user insights for a significantly broader and more accurate picture of a player’s pan-operator activity and financial health.
Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “The EGR awards are regarded as the pinnacle of B2B igaming ceremonies and for Yaspa to be nominated is great recognition for our team’s hard work and dedication to innovation.
“Our Intelligent Payments solution is a truly unique proposition and it’s wonderful to see that its potential to have a profound impact as a responsible gambling tool has been recognised.
“We are very proud to be shortlisted alongside some of the biggest names in the gambling and payments industries and we are very much looking forward to the awards night.”
The post Yaspa shortlisted for two prestigious gambling industry awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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