Japanese Police Arrest Man Over ¥28 Billion In Illegal Online Gambling
In Japan’s largest known individual online gambling case, a 38-year-old man has been arrested for placing billions of yen in bets and promoting an offshore casino platform to others. Police allege he wagered ¥28 billion – roughly €172 million.
Suspect Wagered Massive Sums On Offshore Casino
Tokyo police have arrested Makoto Chomabayashi, a resident of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, on suspicion of illegal online gambling. Authorities allege he placed bets totaling around ¥28 billion (around €172 million) on the international casino site Stake, primarily playing baccarat between August 2022 and April 2024.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect admitted to placing the bets. He acknowledged knowing that online gambling is illegal in Japan but believed his actions would go unnoticed. Chombayashi said:
“News reports said there were hundreds of thousands of players in Japan, so I thought I was only the tip of the iceberg”
Early Losses And Affiliate Activity
Police believe Chomabayashi lost ¥40 million despite the large volume of wagers. Besides gambling, he worked as an affiliate for the casino. He posted screenshots of his wins on the social platform X using the alias Meikyo Shisui, a term meaning “a clear and serene mind.” Through this account, he referred over 100 users to the platform. Since April 2023, he earned ¥7 million in affiliate commissions.
Investigators say his actions weren’t only about profit. He told police he craved attention from posting big wins online. Public praise, he said, helped him feel valued.