Japan is about to take a decisive step in its fight against illegal online casinos. Eight political parties, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Constitutional Democratic Party, have agreed to submit a bill to ban the operation and promotion of these platforms. This initiative, scheduled for the current session of the Diet, marks a strong political will to close existing legal loopholes.
A booming underground market
Despite the ban on online gambling in Japan, the underground market is thriving. According to a report by the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion, the Japanese wagered around 6,450 billion yen (around $44 billion) in 2024 on foreign sports betting sites and online casinos. Of these bets, around 1,000 billion yen related to domestic sporting events, raising concerns about the integrity of the competitions.
Legislative measures without criminal sanctions
The bill prohibits not only the operation of online casinos, but also their promotion, including via social networks. However, it does not provide for criminal penalties for offenders, which raises questions about its effectiveness. The authorities are relying on awareness campaigns to inform the public of the illegality of these practices.
Late awareness
A survey by the National Police Agency revealed that 40% of online gamblers were unaware that online gambling was illegal in Japan. This lack of awareness is exacerbated by misleading advertising and free games that serve as a gateway to illegal platforms. Public figures such as comedian Kuruma Takahira have admitted to gambling online, thinking it was legal because of the advertising.
Towards stricter regulation
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Communications has set up a panel of experts to explore methods of blocking illegal sites. Telecoms providers could be asked to remove illegal content at the request of the police. These measures are intended to strengthen law enforcement despite the absence of criminal sanctions.
As Japan prepares to open its first land-based casino complex in Osaka, scheduled for 2030, this legislation underlines a desire to make a clear distinction between authorised gambling and illegal online practices. This distinction is intended to protect citizens from the risks associated with unregulated gambling.