The Japanese cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has approved a comprehensive plan to stop the growth of illegal online gambling. Nearly 3.4 million Japanese are believed to use foreign gambling sites. More than half of them gamble regularly and together they spend the equivalent of 7.75 billion dollars annually.
Young people are particularly at risk. Approximately 5 per cent of gamblers are between the ages of 10 and 19. Experts warn that smartphones give children easy access to gambling sites without their parents noticing.
Fines, prison sentences and warnings are intended to deter illegal gamblers
The government emphasises that online gambling remains prohibited, even if the providers are regulated abroad. Anyone who participates risks a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Repeat offenders can even face up to three years in prison.
Despite this threat, prevention still appears to be underfunded. While legal gambling generates around 20 trillion yen annually, only a fraction of this goes towards addiction care. According to official figures, 398 suicides were linked to gambling in 2024. Experts suspect that the actual number is much higher.
Japan is also cooperating internationally in the fight against gambling addiction. For example, Japan and France recently joined forces in a joint action against illegal gambling practices.
Casino MGM Osaka takes legal gambling to a new level
In addition to its hard line against illegal platforms, Japan wants to expand legal gambling in a controlled manner. In 2030, the first official casino will open on Yumeshima Island: MGM Osaka. The casino will have thousands of slot machines and gambling tables and aims to attract 20 million visitors per year.
Citizens will have to pay for access, which should make illegal gambling less attractive. Nevertheless, there is criticism of the limited resources available for prevention and guidance. According to experts, Japan is still doing too little to tackle gambling problems structurally.
A poignant example is a 15-year-old boy who started gambling online when he was in Year 8. He became addicted and committed fraud to fund his hobby. Such incidents underscore the importance of effective measures.The growth of gambling activities in Japan therefore requires not only greater control, but also conscious policy and protection of vulnerable groups. This is at odds with how Japan previously promoted gambling activities as a tourist attraction for economic growth.