In Japan, most forms of gambling are generally banned by the Criminal Code chapter 23; however, there are several exceptions, including betting on horse racing and certain motor sports.

Jai alai is a popular sport within the Latin American countries and the Philippines from its Hispanic influence. It was one of the two gambling sports from Europe, the other being horse racing, in the semi-colonial Chinese cities of Shanghai and Tianjin, and was shut down after the communist victory there.