Playing poker in Osaka as a visitor / Law and cash-out

Is poker legal in Osaka? What to know before you visit

Laws and sources checked: 29 October 2026. This page is a general explanation of Japanese law, written for visitors. It is not legal advice about any person, venue or activity, and it does not certify any venue as lawful. Quoted provisions are our own summaries of the Japanese text, not official translations.

The short answer

Japan's Penal Code punishes gambling — generally explained as staking money or other property on a contest whose outcome involves chance. Poker as a game is not banned.

Venues described as amusement poker operate on the basis that chips are never exchanged for cash or prizes. You pay an entry or game fee, and winning does not return money to you. With nothing of value at stake, the activity is not gambling. Our venue guide only lists venues whose official pages say play is not for money or that chips cannot be redeemed.

A venue or person offering to cash out or buy back chips is a different matter: the players, not only the operator, may face gambling charges.

The two laws involved

Penal Code: gambling and running a gambling place

Article 185 punishes anyone who gambles with a fine of up to ¥500,000 or a petty fine, except where the stake is only something provided for momentary entertainment. Article 186(1) punishes habitual gambling with up to three years' imprisonment, and Article 186(2) punishes running a gambling place for profit with three months to five years. A venue that let customers play for money would put the operator within Article 186(2).

Fueiho: card tables make it a "No. 5" business

Article 2(1)(v) of the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business (often called the Fueiho) covers premises where customers play on equipment that could be used for games that encourage speculative play. Article 3(v) of its Enforcement Regulations lists "roulette tables, playing cards and card tables". The National Police Agency's interpretation standards confirm that equipment which could be used for gambling, such as roulette and card tables, is covered (section 4-2(2)). This is what people in Japan call a "No. 5 business" (5号営業), and it needs a licence from the prefectural public safety commission for each venue (Article 3(1)).

That licence allows a venue to provide the game. It does not allow anyone to play for money.

Why chips cannot be cashed out or swapped for prizes

To remove the stake. If chips have no property value, no money moves on the result, and the basis for gambling disappears.
The Fueiho bans prizes. Article 23(2) prohibits No. 5 operators from providing prizes according to game results. Pachinko-style prize exchange is not available to these venues.
Chips cannot leave the venue, and "deposit slips" are banned. Article 23(3) applies to No. 5 businesses the bans in Article 23(1)(iii)–(iv) on letting customers take playing tokens off the premises and on issuing documents showing that tokens are being held for them. The police standards add that issuing a card or other medium electronically recording scores or points also breaches these rules (section 17-12(4)).

Some venues let you carry chips over to a later visit or use points only inside the venue. Check each venue's official explanation that these cannot be turned back into cash or used outside.

What to look for when choosing a venue

Official wording that chips or points are not redeemable: Look for a fee page or FAQ saying chips cannot be exchanged for cash or prizes. Our venue profiles quote each venue's own statement with its source.
A published breakdown of charges: Entry (seat) fee, chip purchase, lessons and food or drinks should be listed separately. What you pay is a fee to take part; winning does not return money to you.
Age checks and registration: The Fueiho bars under-18s from No. 5 premises as customers between 22:00 and 06:00 (Article 22(1)(v)) and lets prefectures add further limits by ordinance (Article 22(2)). Age checks and time-based limits follow from this.
A displayed licence: Article 6 requires a licensed operator to display its licence where customers can easily see it. A displayed licence alone does not show that everything a venue does is lawful.

Walk away if you see these

Anyone offers to turn chips or points into cash, e-money or gift vouchers, buy them back, or introduces someone outside the venue who will.
Staff talk about 'rates', 'cash tables' or 'settling up' — money changing hands according to results.
Staff or other players point you to real-money online casino or online poker apps, websites, QR codes or social-media accounts.
Tournament prizes are described vaguely and you cannot find an official explanation from the organiser.

The National Police Agency states that connecting from Japan to gamble on an online casino is a crime even if the operator is licensed abroad. An amendment to the Basic Act on Measures against Gambling Addiction (Act No. 76 of 2025, in force from 25 September 2025) also prohibits presenting illegal online gambling sites or apps and sending information that steers people to them.

If someone approaches you with a suspicious offer, or you have doubts about how a venue operates, you can contact the police consultation line #9110 or the local police station. In an emergency, call 110.

Our content and listing policy

Practice without money

The site's quizzes and practice table are educational tools. The chips have no monetary value. There are no deposits, withdrawals, cash prizes, or real-money wagering features.

Venue information

The venue guide summarises venue-published primary sources on location, fees, beginner support and non-wagering or non-redemption policies. Profiles identify sources, check dates and unconfirmed items. Current profiles are based on official public information; we have not visited or interviewed the venues.

Editorial content and paid advertising are distinguished. A listing is held pending rechecking if its eligibility becomes uncertain. This site does not certify licences or legal compliance. A check date does not guarantee opening, seats or total cost for your visit. No verified event listings are currently published.

Before visiting

Check the venue's official entry rules, age requirements, fees, and event terms. Do not infer a venue's rules from our browser practice game. For ID, registration, language and fees as a visitor, read Playing poker in Osaka as a visitor; for lessons and what to say at reception, see your first amusement poker visit.

Sources (checked 29 October 2026)

We read the statutes on e-Gov as in force on the check date. Laws and police guidance change. For a decision about a specific situation, consult a lawyer or the responsible police station.

Updated: 2026-10-29