Japan Targets Illegal Online Gambling with Stricter Measures and Industry Crackdown
The Japanese government has introduced a national plan to combat the rise of illegal online gambling. As usage surges among residents, new regulations will focus on payment services, affiliate marketers, and public awareness campaigns to curb addiction and reinforce existing laws.
Government Moves to Curb Illegal Gambling Activities
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet has approved a comprehensive strategy aimed at halting the spread of unlicensed online gambling.
The plan introduces tighter restrictions on third-party payment processors and affiliates promoting offshore gambling sites, marking a significant step toward enforcement.
Yoshitaka Ito, Minister in charge of gambling addiction policy, emphasized the urgency of the issue.
Citing a surge in illegal activity, he referred to new data from the National Police Agency (NPA) estimating that 3.37 million people in Japan have accessed unauthorized foreign-run gambling platforms.
Of those, 1.97 million are active users, collectively wagering an estimated ¥1.2 trillion (approximately $8 billion) annually.
Public Figures and Scandals Fuel Urgency
High-profile cases have drawn public attention to the scale of the problem. Earlier this year, Olympic table tennis medalist Koki Niwa was fined ¥100,000 ($670) for gambling on offshore sites.
Additionally, 14 professional baseball players from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league were found to have participated in similar activities.
The scandals extend beyond the world of sports. Tokyo police are currently investigating comedians affiliated with the Yoshimoto Kogyo talent agency for alleged involvement in online gambling.
One entertainer, Kuruma Takahira from the comedy duo Reiwa Roman, publicly admitted to gambling and issued an apology online.
Awareness Campaigns and Regulatory Pressure
In addition to enforcement, the government plans to launch social media campaigns to inform the public that online gambling remains illegal under Japanese law.
Officials are also urging businesses to remove online casino advertisements and reconsider their promotion strategies.
The new measures reflect a broader effort to reduce gambling-related harm. Lawmakers are considering restrictions on legal gambling as well, including potential limits on online betting for public sports like horse racing and motorboat racing. A proposed ban on credit card use for gambling is also under review.
Critics Question Lack of Legal Framework
Despite the government’s renewed focus, advocacy groups remain skeptical. Noriko Tanaka, head of an organization that supports individuals with gambling addiction, questioned the plan’s effectiveness. She noted the absence of legislative changes:
“The government talks about tighter controls, but it is not clear how they will enforce these rules without new laws.”
Under current Japanese law, gambling through offshore operators is illegal and punishable by fines of up to ¥500,000 ($3,348).
Repeat offenders may face up to three years in prison. However, critics argue that without legislative updates, enforcement will remain limited.
