Japanese Man Arrested for Spending Over $600,000 on Online Gambling

Japanese authorities have arrested a man believed to be the largest individual online gambler in the country. He spent over 90 million yen on a single online platform and is suspected of having spent significantly more over the years. The man's arrest is due to his involvement in casino games rather than hosting or organizing them. This case is the latest instance of police cracking down on individuals gambling with illegal operators.

Previously, several celebrities, including six well-known comedians, were targeted in a similar police operation and arrested for gambling charges. Recently, authorities detained a 38-year-old man named Makoto Chomabayashi, as reported by the Asahi Shimbun. Chomabayashi is accused of spending approximately $625,500 on a global online casino platform, predominantly playing baccarat. Law enforcement traced his activities back to August 2022, although he was only apprehended in April 2025. Chomabayashi has confessed to the charges, contributing to Japan's reputation for high confession rates in closing cases. He admitted to gambling on an online casino site, specifically acknowledging one in particular. Despite knowing the activity was illegal, Chomabayashi thought he would evade detection. He also mentioned to the police that with hundreds of thousands of players in Japan, he considered himself merely the tip of the iceberg, suspecting others of spending much more than he did.

Investigators suspect that the 90 million yen with which Chomabayashi is charged is merely a fraction of the total. It is believed that Chomabayashi may have spent over 28 billion yen on gambling, marking the largest amount in the country's history. Regarding Chomabayashi’s personal reasons for gambling, he stated that the casino provided an environment where he felt acknowledged, especially after a significant win. This feeling was something he valued and actively sought out. There is no evidence linking him to any illegal activities, indicating that the money he gambled with was his own and legally acquired. However, gambling remains illegal in Japan, even for individuals, and law enforcement takes action against it. Meanwhile, the National Police Agency estimates that approximately 3.37 million people in Japan are engaged in gambling, collectively spending more than 1.24 trillion yen annually.