Japan Cracks Down on Online Gambling as Millions Continue to Bet Illegally

More than three million Japanese citizens, making up approximately 3.5% of the population, are engaged in online gambling despite its strict prohibition under Japanese law, according to a new survey conducted by the National Police Agency (NPA). The study estimates that Japanese players collectively spend around 1.24 trillion yen (US$8.4 billion) each year on offshore casinos and sports betting websites, highlighting the scale of illegal gambling in the country.

In response to the growing issue, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approved a new strategy on Friday aimed at curbing online gambling addiction. The plan includes increased crackdowns on payment processors and marketing affiliates who profit from referring players to gambling platforms. Additionally, Japanese businesses will be encouraged to prohibit advertisements promoting online gambling, while social media campaigns will be launched to raise awareness about its illegality.

The NPA’s survey, which polled 27,145 individuals between the ages of 15 and 79, revealed alarming trends regarding addiction and debt among online gamblers. Nearly 60% of respondents who admitted to gambling online reported struggling with addiction, while 46% said they had fallen into debt due to their betting habits. Compounding the issue, the study found that nearly 43.5% of the surveyed population was unaware that online gambling is illegal in Japan. The country enforces strict penalties on those caught engaging in illegal gambling, with fines reaching up to 500,000 yen (US$3,300) and potential prison sentences of up to three years for repeat offenders.

One of the significant factors contributing to the rise of online gambling in Japan appears to be celebrity influence. The survey found that approximately 23% of online gamblers were influenced by celebrities, including professional athletes and entertainers, who have been associated with online casino promotions. Authorities hope that recent punishments of several Japanese celebrities involved in gambling scandals will serve as a warning to the public.

In January, Olympic table tennis player Koki Niwa was fined for participating in online gambling, while in February, multiple players from Nippon Professional Baseball were implicated in similar offenses. That same month, police questioned comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo talent agency over their suspected involvement in illegal gambling. Among them was Kuruma Takahira, one-half of a popular comedy duo, who admitted to the allegations and issued a public apology on social media.

While Japan maintains strict laws against most forms of gambling, betting on public sports such as horse racing and motorboat racing remains legal. Pachinko, a pinball-slot machine hybrid game, continues to be popular across the country. In 2018, lawmakers passed a controversial bill to legalize casinos, paving the way for integrated resorts. However, seven years later, no casinos have opened. MGM Resorts is set to begin construction on MGM Osaka in April 2025, marking the first major step toward establishing legal casino operations in the country.

By fLEXI tEAM