Japan reaches out to nations to help crack down on overseas online casinos
The Japanese government is stepping up efforts to block access to overseas online casinos. Even if those sites are legal in other countries, using them from Japan is against the law. So, Japan has started reaching out to the governments of countries where these casinos are licensed, asking them to stop letting the sites operate for Japanese users.
Since May, the National Police Agency has reportedly been working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send official requests to seven countries and regions. These include Curaçao in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Canada, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Anjouan (part of Comoros in Africa), Malta, and Georgia.
The places are known for giving out gambling licenses to online casinos, many of which offer services in Japanese. In fact, a government investigation found that out of 40 Japanese-language casino sites, about 70% are licensed in Curaçao alone.
“Criminal gambling cases involving online casinos include forms in which illegal casino gambling facilities are set up in residences or disguised storefronts to gather customers and engage in gambling.”
Japan hasn’t laid out specific technical methods for blocking access yet, but options like shutting down sites or using “geo-blocking” (blocking users from certain countries) are on the table. They’re also asking operators to stop showing Japanese-language content or to clearly state on their sites that gambling from Japan is illegal.
Because these sites are legal where they’re based, it can be tough for Japan to go after them directly. That’s why they’re hoping those governments will pressure the operators to stop targeting Japanese users. However, the operators make a lot of money from Japanese customers, so it’s unclear whether they’ll actually agree to cut them off.
Japan says more people are being arrested over using illegal online casinos
A Japanese government poster warns that accessing and gambling on online casinos from within Japan is illegal. Credit: National Police Agency
Japan’s National Police Agency estimates that around 3.37 million people have used illegal online casinos, with total bets reaching about ¥1.2 trillion ($8.3 billion) a year. Arrests are on the rise, and gambling addiction is becoming a major concern, so the government is now ramping up its response.
Anyone caught gambling may be subject to a fine of up to ¥500,000 ($3,465) or face a criminal penalty, such as detention for up to three years.
According to a 2024 white paper, the agency said it believes that online casinos are being used for illegal gambling operations, sometimes disguised as legitimate businesses or run from private residences.
It stated (translated to English): “Criminal gambling cases involving online casinos include forms in which illegal casino gambling facilities are set up in residences or disguised storefronts to gather customers and engage in gambling.
“Organized crime and anonymous groups are involved in illegal gambling via online casinos.”
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