New Japan Strategy Targets Online Gambling Addiction
Japan’s cabinet has officially endorsed a new national strategy aimed at tackling gambling addiction, including measures targeting online gambling.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Despite the rise in online gambling activity it is illegal in Japan, even on sites that are legally overseas. This was reiterated by the National Police Agency, following the cabinet meeting last Friday.
The approved strategy outlines Japan’s approach to addressing gambling addiction over the next three fiscal years, beginning with the 2025 financial year.
The announcement comes as the country prepares for the launch of MGM Osaka, Japan’s first land-based integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino, expected to open in late 2030.
Basic Nationwide Plan Every Three Years
Japan’s foundational legislation on gambling addiction came into force in October 2018. It requires the central government to craft a nationwide basic plan every three years. Additionally, prefectural governments are encouraged to develop their own localized plans that align with national objectives while considering regional circumstances.
A recent survey conducted by the National Police Agency found that approximately 3.37 million individuals had engaged in online casino gambling. According to the Asahi Shimbun, the study also revealed that roughly JPY1.24 trillion (about USD 8.39 billion) is wagered annually on online gambling platforms.
The national government, under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has repeatedly expressed support for the IR initiative, identified three primary focus areas in its plan to counter online gambling.
Key components of the cabinet-approved strategy include enhanced law enforcement, widespread public education on the illegality of online casinos, and stronger efforts to restrict access to gambling sites. These efforts will involve removing online advertisements, implementing filtering technologies, and collaborating with financial institutions to block payments related to illegal online gambling.
According to the Japan Times, the crackdown will also target payment processors and affiliate marketers who promote online casinos and earn commissions for referring users.
Related: Japan Faces Calls for Stricter Regulation After a Rise in Gambling
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Social Media Campaigns to Highlight Laws
Social media campaigns are expected to play a central role in reminding the public that online gambling is against the law in Japan.
Yoshitaka Ito, the minister in charge of gambling addiction measures, has said that there are clear signs that gambling is on the rise and as a result, so is gambling addiction.
The National Police Agency stressed that playing at an online casino, even if it’s based in a country where such activity is legal, constitutes a criminal offense in Japan. Offenders may face fines of up to JPY500,000, while repeat violators could receive prison sentences of up to three years.
Online gambling has recently made headlines in Japan due to high-profile incidents. In February, 14 players from seven teams in Nippon Professional Baseball were discovered to have engaged in online gambling. Among them was Taisuke Yamaoka, a pitcher for the Osaka-based Orix Buffaloes, who participated in an online poker tournament hosted by an overseas casino site.
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