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JAPAN ESPORTS BETTING PROJECTION *
10.8m
2020
11.8m
2021
* Number of people ( in millions ) betting on esports . Data projected by selecting those in Newzoo ’ s esports audience aged 20 + they had to go through a complicated string of loopholes in order to obtain any sort of financial prize from winning .
It is understood , however , that the government is working on amending the laws in favour of growing the esports industry . In 2020 , the Japanese government outlined an ambitious plan to expand the country ’ s esports industry by collaborating with the private sector and legal experts to draw up guidelines to promote Japan ’ s esports industry , which currently lacks expertise in organising large scale tournaments and dealing with legal issues that come from the use of intellectual property from game developers .
Through these efforts , the Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry is hoping to generate at least $ 2.6bn in economic benefits for regional economies through ticket sales , online viewing fees and advertising revenue , as well as from tournament hosting and corporate equipment supply by 2025 .
In the meantime , the Japan Esports Union ( JESU ) has been seen leading the charge in changing how esports is viewed in the nation , and to put in place frameworks that allow players to earn more than the prize pool cap set by the old anti-gambling laws .
STATE OF ESPORTS BETTING IN JAPAN
At present , the only betting allowed in Japan is on horse racing , motor boat racing , cycling and motorbike racing . However , that has not stopped online operators offering other sports , including esports , from targeting this market . Should Japan open up its own regulated , legal sports betting market , it is estimated the market could be worth around $ 65bn per year .
July 2021