Japan Open Poker Tour faces controversy over Ladies Championship prizes

The Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) is facing criticism regarding the prizes announced for its Ladies Championship, scheduled for October 12 in Tokyo. The tournament, which has a buy-in of 30,000 ¥ (approximately $190), is sponsored by Sagami Rubber Industries, a Japanese manufacturer of condoms and lubricants.

Initial prize listings on the JOPT website specified that the top three finishers would receive gift sets containing Sagami Original condoms, water-based lubricant, jewelry, and various merchandise such as t-shirts and hoodies. Reports indicated the first-place winner was slated to receive approximately 150 condoms and three bottles of lubricant.

The announcement sparked backlash within the poker community. Critics argued that the choice of prizes could lead female players to be perceived as sexual objects rather than professional competitors, expressing concerns that such branding might deter participants. Following the controversy, the JOPT website removed the specific itemized lists, replacing the descriptions with more general references to “Sagami Product Gift Sets.”