Summary
- Japan is seeking cooperation with international jurisdictions to access offshore online gambling websites.
- The country's authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal gambling by focusing on citizens involved.
- A change in strategy might be necessary to effectively protect citizens from the impact of offshore gambling.
Japanese authorities are collaborating with international regulators and jurisdictions to curb the influence of offshore gambling websites that are targeting customers in Japan without appropriate authorization, as originally reported by local media outlet Mainichi.
Japan goes after real bad guys in offshore gambling case
Online gambling is illegal in Japan, which means that online casinos and sports betting platforms are prohibited. Despite this, many websites still aim to attract Japanese users. This week, Japan has initiated efforts to shut down illegal gambling websites by reaching out to various jurisdictions, such as Curacao, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Anjouan Island in the Comoros, Canada, Georgia, Malta, and Costa Rica. These jurisdictions host websites targeting Japanese citizens by offering services in yen and providing a user interface in Japanese. However, these websites are not legally permitted to operate in Japan. A recent analysis identified 40 online casinos and found that nearly all of them, except two, clarified to users that gambling while based in Japan is illegal. Moreover, Japan is also seeking to limit its citizens' access to these gambling sites by coordinating with international regulators and authorities and implementing domestic measures.
Citizens, beware – online gambling is prohibited in any form
In recent weeks, police in the country have arrested numerous individuals, both ordinary citizens and celebrities, in a renewed effort to curb illegal gambling. According to Japanese law, individuals who engage in online gambling are considered just as guilty as the platforms providing these services. A recent police survey suggests that up to 3 million people may be involved in online gambling, with wagers possibly totaling 1.24 trillion yen, or approximately $8.6 billion. Authorities in Japan have begun arresting well-known figures, including athletes, comedians, and musicians, all of whom have been charged with gambling overseas. The crackdown has also targeted high rollers who gambled online. In one case, an arrestee admitted to gambling because they didn't expect to get caught, believing many others were also bypassing the prohibition.
