In a move to combat illegal online gambling, the Japanese government has formally requested eight countries and regions to block access to their licensed online casino websites for Japanese residents. This request follows a recent bill passed by Japan’s lower house that seeks to strengthen regulations on gambling addiction and curb online casino access. According to local media reports, Japan has approached Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Curaçao, and Anjouan Island in the Comoros.
Background on Japan’s Online Gambling Crackdown
Japan has long maintained strict laws on gambling. The only legal forms of gambling within the country are lotteries and wagers on publicly sanctioned races, such as horse, bicycle, powerboat, and motorcycle races. Gambling with overseas-based betting sites is a crime under Japanese law, and the government has been increasingly focused on addressing illegal online gambling, which has surged in recent years.
Police estimates suggest that more than 3.37 million people in Japan are involved in online gambling, spending roughly ¥1.24 trillion (approximately US $8.6 billion) annually. However, many of these gambling sites, operated legally under foreign licenses, have attracted significant traffic from Japan. Investigators in Japan have turned their attention toward payment agents and promoters who facilitate access to these platforms via social media.
Japan’s Request to Block Online Casino Access
An analysis of 40 online casino sites that cater to Japanese-speaking users found that nearly 70% of them are licensed in Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean territory. Of these sites, only two explicitly told users that access from Japan is forbidden. Six sites reported that their traffic came entirely from Japan, revealing the widespread popularity of these foreign-based casinos among Japanese players.
In response, the government has asked operators in these regions to block traffic from Japan, as the country moves to crack down on illegal gambling. Japan’s request reflects growing concern following media revelations that professional athletes and celebrities have used these online platforms. As smartphone access to gambling sites continues to grow, authorities are focused on curbing access to these sites, even though the platforms are legally operated abroad.
New Legislative Measures
The Japanese government has also introduced a bill to revise the law on tackling gambling addiction. This legislation is set to prohibit websites from directing users to illegal gambling platforms and will press social media companies to remove gambling promotions. Once the bill is enacted, violators will face fines of up to ¥500,000, and habitual gamblers may face imprisonment for up to three years.
This bill is expected to pass before the current Diet session ends on June 22, 2025. The government plans to revisit its request with the eight countries and regions once the law is in effect, aiming to strengthen control over Japanese access to these offshore sites.
International Cooperation and Continued Efforts
As Japan pushes forward with these regulatory measures, international cooperation will be key in addressing the challenges posed by foreign gambling operators. Since these sites operate legally in their home countries, Japanese authorities face difficulties in charging operators directly. Therefore, the focus has shifted toward blocking access to these sites and targeting those who promote these platforms in Japan, particularly through social media.
The government’s efforts to close the legal loopholes and protect its residents from online gambling harm reflect its commitment to controlling this rapidly growing issue.
Source:
Japan Urges International Partners to Curb Online Casino Access, mainichi.jp, June 16, 2025