How to successfully promote gambling in Japan: Localization, cultural peculiarities, and trends

Today, gambling offers in Japan are very popular and bring considerable profit to affiliates who are ready to master this specific and very interesting GEO. Let’s look at the details: what are the cultural peculiarities of the Japanese, how to approach this audience, and what to consider for an effective result.

Who are Japanese users?

Japan is one of the most developed and wealthy countries in the world. It is home to about 125.8 million people, and more than 90% of them actively use the Internet. According to AsiaPac, the average Japanese spends at least 4 hours and 25 minutes online every day.

The main search engines are Google and Yahoo Japan, and the most popular online entertainment is video streaming, music, and bloggers’ content on social networks.

An interesting feature is that the Japanese prefer their own music services, such as LINE. When it comes to global platforms, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram are in the lead. Facebook is much less popular, with only 31% of Japanese using it. At the same time, according to official Meta data, 22.41 million Japanese users visited the platform in 2022, and by 2025, according to Statista, this figure will grow to 22.43 million.

Most of the young and active users live in large cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Kawasaki, and Saitama. Here, the standard of living and technological development are among the highest in the world.

What else is important to know?

Until recently, people in Japan were considered adults from the age of 20, but now this age has been lowered to 18 to meet international standards. Interestingly, the average age of a Japanese is 46 years, and the average life expectancy is one of the highest in the world: 87 years for women and 81 years for men. By the way, there are 3 million more women in Japan than men.

In general, the Japanese audience is high-tech, educated, and engaged users who are willing to spend time and money on quality content. If you take into account these nuances, your chances of successful promotion will increase significantly.

Gambling culture in Japan

Gambling laws in Japan are very strict. It is forbidden to play for money here. However, online gambling as a form of entertainment with prize bonuses is flourishing, and some casino games are legally offered to local youth.

The most popular gambling hobbies of the Japanese include

• lotteries
• pachinko
• sports betting

Pachinko in Japan is usually an arcade game and slot machine where prizes can be various souvenirs, tokens, or even cigarettes. By the way, there are very few land-based casinos here, and they are mostly located in hotels aimed at tourists.

Online gambling has experienced a real surge in popularity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The traffic to casino websites and apps is constantly growing, which has not gone unnoticed by international operators and bookmakers.

What should you know about Japanese gaming culture for successful promotion?

• Minimalism and impeccability. The Japanese love stylish, simple design and do not tolerate technical problems. Websites and applications should load quickly, be clear and beautiful on any device.
• Quality and luxury. They value premium products and are willing to spend large sums of money on them. This can be effectively used to attract players.
• Personalization. Young people are accustomed to a unique approach – content and services should take into account their individual preferences.
• Animation style. Characters in the spirit of classic Japanese animation are still of interest, especially among young people.

For the Japanese, it is important to be treated with respect, offered a quality product, and paid attention to their peculiarities. Even minor errors on the website or too slow loading can scare users away.

How to Promote Casino Offers in Japan

Here are some simple tips that will help you to customize advertising for the Japanese audience:

• Localization. It is important to adapt the content to the Japanese culture and realities. Different cities and regions in Japan have their own unique features, so before launching ads, you should research your target audience in detail.
• Bright promotions. The Japanese love effective bonuses and special offers. They appreciate everything original and special. The design should be simple but expressive. Creatives with animation work especially well.
• Integration into the holiday calendar. Consider Japanese holidays and important dates, and use popular music from LINE trends in your creatives.
• Watch your competitors. Study what your Japanese competitors are doing and adopt the best ideas.
  Personalize your content. Offer unique bonuses in email campaigns based on the preferences of your users.

Great platforms for gambling traffic in Japan are LINE, Facebook, and Instagram. They are ideal for attracting the target audience through creative advertising. Focus on video and do not be afraid to promote European offers. The Japanese love European style and are often ready to get acquainted with European and American digital products.

Conclusion

The Japanese gambling market offers significant opportunities for affiliates, but it requires a careful approach to localization and respect for local cultural peculiarities.