Japan Prediction Market Startups Use Point-Based Vouchers to Bypass Ban, Users Nearing 1 Million

Japanese prediction market startup Miraima leverages a points system to allow users to wager on real-world events like the World Cup, with points convertible to gift cards as cash equivalents to evade gambling restrictions. Monthly active users have approached 1 million since its launch in November. Competitors Poyp and Gumi Inc. have launched similar apps. Polymarket and Kalshi currently block users in Japan but Polymarket has hired a local representative to lobby for regulatory approval.