Lottery games are legal in Japan under the Lottery Ticket Act of 1948, which grants certain government agencies the right to conduct lotteries to raise tax revenue for designated purposes. Only Japan's 47 prefectures and 20 specially designated cities can legally hold takarakuji lotteries, with at least 50% of the prize pool required to go to local government and charities. Since October 24, 2018, lottery tickets can be purchased online via the official Takarakuji website or at dedicated lottery stands, banks, and convenience stores (1).
While gambling is generally prohibited under Chapter XXIII of Japan's Criminal Code, lotteries fall under special exemptions alongside sports betting and pachinko. Any person who is legally present in Japan is eligible to purchase lottery tickets from designated windows, though online purchases are restricted to registered residents aged 20 or older. The boost to local government income is the main reason takarakuji exists within its own set of laws (2).
"This law stipulates that only the nation's 47 prefectures and 12 specially designated cities can hold a takarakuji, and that at least 50% of the prize pool of any given lottery must go to the local government and charities."
Japan offers various lottery types including Jumbo raffles, Loto ball draws, scratch tickets, and daily Numbers games. Winners of Japanese lottery games are not taxed on their prize money under Japanese law, making advertised prizes exactly what winners receive. Foreigners can legally purchase tickets without special permits, though those without residence status should consider games with prizes under ¥1 million due to international banking restrictions (1).
Source:
https://prosperjapan.com/2025/02/26/complete-guide-to-the-japanese-lottery-2025/
https://www.japan-zone.com/features/021_gambling_law_in_japan.shtml
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
