Top Payment Methods for Japanese Online Casino Players: From Bank Transfer to Cryptocurrency

With recent changes to gambling regulations in Japan, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make deposits to offshore gambling sites. While classic options like bank transfers and credit cards are facing transaction blocks, players are turning to e-wallets, which are also becoming more limited—driving increased interest in cryptocurrency.

Here’s the breakdown of all the payment options Japanese players have used in the past, are attempting to use now, and are hoping to use in the future.

Bank Transfers and Credit Cards — The Original Options

Once the darlings of online casino deposits, bank transfers and credit cards are no longer preferred options. In many cases, these transactions are being blocked by domestic financial institutions before they even reach the offshore sites. 

Bank Transfers from Japanese Banks

Bank transfers from Japanese banks to offshore casino sites are becoming increasingly rare as many banks already block these types of transactions. While some banks might still allow them to go through, it’s highly unlikely that big banks like Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho will.

Some offline sites are attempting to get around this with non-obvious company names, routing their transactions through third-party processors.

Another challenge of using bank transfers to deposit at gambling sites is that they are the slowest option, typically taking 3–5 business days for the funds to appear. 

Japanese-Based Credit and Debit Cards

In the past, credit and debit cards were the most popular way to deposit funds at offshore casino sites. While JCB (Japan Credit Bureau) cards are rarely accepted, those that are branded Visa or Mastercard may still go through. The 3D Secure authentication step is where the flagging often pops up, and those transactions tend to get declined. 

In Japan, withdrawing from an offshore casino to a credit card is rarely an option, so players need to come up with a backup plan for taking out their winnings. That’s why information sites like JapaneseCasino’s guide to online casinos clearly detail the available methods. 

The Challenges for These Options

With bank transfers and credit card deposits more likely to be declined, slower processing times, and ongoing withdrawal issues, these payment methods are in rapid decline. So what are the alternatives? 

Digital Wallets

Domestic e-wallet usage in Japan rose to 75.57 million users in 2023, and the nation’s cashless payment rate hit 42.8% in 2024. While e-wallets are becoming the go-to for many consumers, domestic e-wallets can’t be used to fund offshore casinos. Therefore, players look to internationally based ones.

Japan’s Own PayPay

PayPay, Japan’s most popular e-wallet, has over 65 million registered users and is designed as a domestic QR code payment system for Japanese merchants. As such, it can’t be used to deposit to offshore casinos.

Ireland’s Payz

The most popular digital wallet that Japanese players use to deposit to offshore casinos is Payz, which changed its name from ecoPayz in 2023. Based in Ireland and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, it’s a legitimate and legal e-wallet. 

Payz works as a buffer between Japanese banks and online casinos as it accepts accounts in JPY. It’s known to be widely accepted at international online casinos.

Its fees are competitive with other e-wallets and vary by deposit method. Currency conversion fees are something to keep in mind when depositing to non-JPY sites.

Withdrawals can usually be made back to Payz, taking 1–3 business days to settle.

Asia-Specific iWallet

Headquartered in Hong Kong, iWallet is an e-wallet specifically built for Asian markets—particularly casino players based in Japan, Malaysia, and China—though, ironically, not those in Hong Kong.

iWallet is very popular in the Japanese online casino community, as it includes a Japanese-language interface and supports JPY natively. It also offers speedy withdrawals, similar to those of Payz.

The challenge lies in the fact that it’s less widely known outside Asia, so fewer offshore casinos support it. Platforms that cater specifically to Japanese players are more likely to accept it.

Downsides of E-Wallets for Offshore Casino Use

E-wallets are significantly more reliable for deposits than bank transfers and credit cards. Using a regulated option like Payz or an Asian-based one like iWallet makes the process straightforward, though there is an initial setup period that requires verification to meet Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. 

The possible downsides are that not all offshore casinos accept these specific e-wallets, and currency conversion can fluctuate. 

Cryptocurrency: The Newest Option for Japanese Players

Offshore casinos accepting cryptocurrency are gaining in popularity and becoming a standard option for many players. While they offer clear advantages, there are still some important considerations to keep in mind.

Crypto for Offshore Casino Deposits

Cryptocurrency was regulated by the FSA in Japan in 2017 and is becoming a popular option for online transactions. One of the main appeals, especially for casino players, is the speed of the transactions. Whereas some other options, like bank transfers, can take days, blockchain transactions typically settle within minutes, with withdrawals often processed within minutes to a few hours. 

Crypto casinos that only accept digital currency don’t apply any currency conversion fees, and transaction fees are generally lower than most other deposit options.

Offshore crypto casinos also use provably fair gaming technology, which allows players to independently verify that each game outcome was random and unmanipulated—something traditional online casinos cannot offer. 

Cryptocurrency Options in Japan

Cryptocurrency options abound in Japan, with Bitcoin (BTC) the most widely accepted. Ethereum (ETH) comes in second and is favored by casino players as transactions generally settle faster than Bitcoin. Litecoin (LTC) is another favorite due to its low fees, and Ripple (XRP) is popular due to its SBI Holdings partnership. Players who prefer stablecoins due to their lower volatility favor Tether (USDT).

The most popular Japanese crypto exchanges are bitFlyer, Coincheck, GMO Coin, and bitbank, all of which make purchasing crypto with JPY seamless.

Downsides of Cryptocurrency for Offshore Casino Deposits

The most significant stumbling block for crypto use is that the currency is still highly volatile. Winnings could fluctuate in value overnight, so the timing of withdrawals is paramount. For new users of crypto, there may be a steep learning curve to get on top of the technology. Another disadvantage of blockchain transactions is that they’re final; there’s no option for reversals or refunds, ever. Finally, blockchains in Japan are less pseudonymous than most people assume and can be traced by authorities. 

How Players Choose a Payment Method That’s Right for Them

With so many different payment options available, many Japanese players have tried one or more of them to determine which best suits their needs—and which still work in the country. 

Beginners often started with credit cards and bank transfers, as they’re straightforward and familiar to use, without the learning curve of digital options.

But as those became less likely to work, more advanced players have switched to e-wallets, especially Payz or iWallet.

Most recently, however, cryptocurrency has been gaining popularity due to its speed, perceived anonymity, and the ability to avoid currency conversion fees when playing at offshore crypto casinos. It’s also the preferred option for many high rollers making significant deposits.