Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Japan

5 Best Horse Racing Bookmakers in Japan

We have browsed through many horse racing betting bookmakers, and after a thorough analysis, here we present to you a list of 5 best bookies that you can use in Japan.

MrPacho #1

Although this was primarily designed to suit the preferences of casino players, MrPacho’s sports segment now features a vast range of games, including horse racing. Local bettors can place bets on the leading horse racing tournaments in Japan, such as the Japanese Derby and Japan Cup. It offers an above-average odds margin of 7.38%. Certain domestic and international matches also have a “Boosted Odds” option to increase the odds for some bets.

BC.Game #2

BC.Game sportsbook covers all the major horse racing tournaments in Japan, including the Japan Cup, Tenno Sho, Yasuda Kinen, Japanese Derby, Japanese Oaks, Arima Kinen, NHK Mile Cup, February Stakes, and Victoria Mile. Some of the most popular betting types available on this bookmaker are Win, Quintella, Place Each Way, Trifecta, and Daily Double.

1XBet #3

1XBet covers a wide range of horse racing events like the Japanese Derby, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Kentucky Cup, Japan Cup, and more. One of the best things about 1XBet is that it allows you to do more than just choose a winner. You can place several bets, like betting on the performance of a jockey or even predicting what the score will be after a given period.

20Bet #4

20Bet has a dedicated section for horse racing, allowing users to conveniently access events. It covers a wide range of horse racing tournaments, from domestic events like the Japan Cup and Japanese Derby to international competitions such as the Breeder’s Cup and Kentucky Derby. Additionally, Japanese players can enjoy in-play betting on this platform, taking advantage of its competitive odds.

Megapari #5

MegaPari's horse racing betting market is impressively diverse, with a variety of local and national tournaments to bet on. You can explore events like the Pegasus World Cup, Japanese Derby, Grand National, Dubai World Cup, Japanese Derby, etc. Besides, bettors can also use its native mobile apps to browse for upcoming events, check odds, and place bets based on their predictions.

Legality of Bets on Horse Racing in Japan

Managed under the supervision of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and various regional racing organizations, horse racing betting is legal both online and offline. However, betting is restricted to platforms sanctioned by the Japanese government; unlicensed or offshore betting sites are prohibited. Bettors can legally place wagers on races conducted at JRA-approved tracks and regional tracks. The legality of horse racing betting extends to specific types of wagers, such as win, place, exacta, and trifecta bets, which are available through licensed operators.

Pros and Cons of Horse Racing Betting

Horse racing is a pretty exciting game to place bets on in Japan. There are different kinds of bets, immense opportunities, and frequent events that punters can take part in. However, there are several challenges associated with horse racing betting. Before you start placing bets, you need to understand the features of the bookie in and out. Also, one cannot turn a blind eye to the volatility of returns.

The following table lists some of the pros and cons of horse racing betting in Japan:

Horse Racing Types of Bets

Here are some of the most popular horse racing bets used by Japanese players.

• Combined Bet (Parlay): This bet combines multiple races or events into one wager. To win, you must correctly predict the outcomes of all combined bets, offering higher payouts but requiring greater accuracy.
• Moneyline (Win Bet): The simplest bet where you choose the horse you think will win the race. If your selected horse finishes first, you win the bet.
• Over/Under (Place Bet): In horse racing, this involves predicting whether a horse will finish within a specified position range, such as the top 2 or top 3.
• Spread (Margin of Victory): This bet focuses on the winning margin of the race. Bettors predict the gap between the winner and the rest of the field.
• Simple Bet (Show Bet): A straightforward wager where you bet on a horse to finish in the top 3 positions (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), making it less risky but with lower payouts.

Popular Horse Racing Events to Bet On

Japan's vibrant horse racing scene is home to some of the most prestigious events, offering exciting opportunities for bettors worldwide. The Japan Cup, held every November, stands as one of the most anticipated races. Another highlight is the Japanese Derby, also known as the Tokyo Yushun. Equally thrilling is the Tenno Sho, which occurs twice a year—in spring and autumn.

Currently, in December, Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Arima Kinen, Hopeful Stakes, and Tokyo Daishōten are being held throughout the country, opening multiple betting opportunities for native players. In February 2025, you can explore another renowned horse racing event in Japan, known as February Stakes. Now, in terms of international events, in the upcoming year, the Pegasus World Cup will be a major event to bet on.

Bonuses You May Get for Horse Racing Betting in Japan

Bonuses offer bettors extra value like boosted odds or free bets, thereby enhancing the potential winnings. Through bonuses, bookmakers can retain existing customers and also incentivize new users. Some common types of bonuses that bookmakers offer include:

• Welcome Bonus: Most reputable Japanese horse racing bookmakers offer welcome bonuses to attract new users. These can be in the form of cash bonuses, free bets, or deposit matches.
• Free Bets: Free bets allow bettors to place wagers without risking their own money. Only the winnings from these bets can be withdrawn.
• Odds Boosts/Enhanced Odds: Bookmakers frequently offer boosted odds on selected races, allowing bettors to maximize their potential winnings. These boosts can be available daily, weekly, or during major horse racing events like the Japan Cup or Tenno Sho.

Bookmaker	Bonus Offer	Advantages	Find Out More
	100% matched deposit bonus up to ¥12,000	24/7 customer support in the Japanese language; easy cash-out options	Get Bonus
	100% match bonus of up to ¥16,000	Supports a wide range of bet markets; above-average odds margin	Get Bonus
	Welcome package up to ¥247,000	Accepts cryptocurrencies; site can be translated into Japanese	Get Bonus
	200% up to ¥35,000	Live betting on major races, many promotional offers specific to horse racing betting	Get Bonus
	120% up to ¥78,000	Fast and easy registration; Access to a wide range of domestic and international events	Get Bonus

Live Horse Racing Betting

In Japan, live horse racing betting is available on selected platforms like 20Bet, BC.Game, MrPacho, Megapari, and 1XBet. These platforms provide live streaming of races, real-time odds updates, and multiple betting options, such as predicting the winning horse, place bets, or the race outcome mid-race. Live betting is especially popular during major events like the Japan Cup and the Tenno Sho, where odds can shift dramatically based on horse performance and track conditions.

Mobile Betting

Whether you are an Android user or an iOS user, these betting apps will allow you to place bets on your favorite horse racing event either on the go or from the comfort of your home.

Best Android Apps

You are just a few clicks away from downloading these reliable bookmaker apps on your Android device:

Best iOS Apps

Enjoy an optimized betting experience with features offered by these iOS apps:

Tips For Horse Racing Betting

Here are some essential tips to help you make smarter bets and improve your chances of success in horse racing betting:

• Understand the Key Events: Focus on major races like the Japan Cup, Japanese Derby, Tenno Sho, Breeder’s Cup, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where top horses and jockeys compete, offering valuable betting opportunities.
• Study Horse and Track Conditions: Analyze horse performance, track conditions, and race distance to identify horses best suited for specific races.
• Check the Odds and Markets: Compare odds across bookmakers and explore bet types like win, place, exacta, and trifecta for better value.
• Bet Strategically with Live Betting: Use live betting to make mid-race decisions, especially in long races, based on real-time horse and jockey performance.