Japan’s alternative prediction market sector grows with points-based platforms
Startups are attracting millions of users with prediction offerings based on loyalty points.
Japan.- An alternative to traditional prediction market platforms is gaining traction in Japan. Local companies are offering options that allow users to forecast the outcome of real-world events using virtual points instead of money as betting with money is prohibited.
Miraima, which launched in November 2025, has reportedly reached nearly one million monthly users in just seven months, driven by interest in sports, politics and other current events. Other companies, including Poyp and gaming group Gumi, have entered the market with similar platforms.
Unlike international operators such as Polymarket or Kalshi, these platforms do not accept cash or cryptocurrency wagers. Instead, users earn points by registering, watching advertisements or completing activities within the app. Those points can then be used to make predictions, and successful users receive additional points that can be redeemed for gift cards or rewards through services such as PayPay and Rakuten.
The model is intended to comply with Japan’s gambling regulations while tapping into the country’s established loyalty points culture, where consumers collect and redeem points through retailers and digital payment services. However, legal experts suggest the format could still face regulatory scrutiny because the rewards have monetary value. Meanwhile, overseas operators continue to monitor the Japanese market. According to local reports, Polymarket has appointed a representative in Japan as it explores the possibility of entering the country if regulations eventually allow real-money prediction markets.
