Condoms Instead of Cash: Backlash at Japan Open Poker Tour Ladies Event

The world of professional poker is looking toward the Far East in disbelief. The Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) has sparked a controversy in Tokyo that reaches far beyond the borders of the island nation. Instead of focusing on the strategic skill of the participants, the organizer placed sexual aids at the center of attention. For a women's tournament with a buy-in of 30,000 Yen, which is approximately 190 dollars, prizes were announced that many perceive as tasteless and sexist.

Particularly striking is the fact that there were apparently no regular cash prizes for the top finishers. Instead, the top three women were to be showered with products from the Japanese condom manufacturer Sagami Rubber Industries. The talk is of 150 condoms and special lubricants for the winner. This decision has ignited a fierce debate about the treatment of women in a still male-dominated industry.

Numbers and facts

The affected tournament, the Ladies Championship, was scheduled for October 12 as part of the larger JOPT festival in Tokyo. The sponsor Sagami was presented as the lead partner. According to the original plans, the winner was to receive 150 condoms from the "Sagami Original 001" series, along with 99 percent water-based lubricant gel and merchandising items. Second and third places would have been provided with similar sets.

The outrage was immediate. Poker pro Svitlana Dryha commented clearly on the incident. The criticism was primarily sparked by the fact that the names and photos of the winners are publicly announced while they have to pose with massive quantities of sexual products. In the meantime, Sagami has reacted and published an apology. The intention was to promote poker as a mind game and support the challenges of female players, but they regret that people felt uncomfortable.

"This might be the worst possible way to say ‘we support women in poker’ and then announce condoms as prizes." - Svitlana Dryha, Team Pro at ACR Poker

Background

The incident follows a history of strange or demeaning actions at special women's tournaments. For instance, in 2019 at the Battle of Malta, there was criticism because topless men were employed as dealers. In the current case in Japan, the sponsor Sagami argued that the company has been manufacturing products for women and couples since 1934 and wanted to support the journey of female players. Sagami's founder, Saku Matsukawa, is considered a pioneer who built the first latex condom factory in Japan.

However, the community does not see this as genuine support. Critics like X user @whitezexy emphasized that the prizes treat women not as players, but as sexual beings. The question was even raised whether preparing condoms in size L was a deliberate allusion to the winners' private lives. Pro player Kristen Foxen had already expressed critical views on women-only tournaments in 2024, emphasizing that poker is a sport where men and women should compete on an equal footing without the need for gender-segregated promotion through bizarre advertising campaigns.

Why it matters for German players

In Germany, the situation is strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Such bizarre prize structures that could violate the decency or dignity of players are almost inconceivable with legal providers listed on the white list of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). German players are protected by a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin for slots. The central exclusion system LUGAS monitors these limits across providers.

Marketing activities in Germany must be professional and transparent. Sexist advertising or prizes that demean players would immediately alert the supervisory authorities here. For German fans, this case from Japan shows above all how important solid regulation is, ensuring not only player protection but also ethical standards in marketing. German poker players should therefore always stick to licensed providers to ensure that winnings are paid out fairly and in cash, rather than in questionable physical goods.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, this incident serves as a cautionary tale of failed sponsorship. In Germany, advertising campaigns must be verifiable by the GGL, and violations of youth or player protection lead to heavy fines. Sponsorship by manufacturers of adult products at sporting competitions is already highly problematic in German gambling law due to the strict separation of gambling and adult content. Those who play legally in Germany can rely on the integrity of the game and the respect for participants being maintained.