Key points:
- Ruling and opposition parties in Japan have agreed to submit a bill regulating online casinos
- The decision follows reports of more than ¥1trn ($7.4bn) in illegal bets placed by users across Japan
Lawmakers from Japan’s ruling and opposition parties have agreed to submit a bill during the current Diet session to revise existing legislation and prohibit online casinos.
The bill, intended to enforce measures against gambling-related harm, was agreed upon following consultations between eight political parties and parliamentary groups.
Proposed changes include a ban on opening or operating online casino platforms and restrictions on advertising or directing users to such platforms through social media and other channels.
The bill is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Cabinet this month. It is likely to be passed before the end of the current session.
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has also convened a panel of experts to examine potential measures to deter online casino access, including blocking connections to these sites.
Good to know: Online casinos are permitted in some countries, but their use from within Japan is prohibited under the Penal Code. The proposed revisions seek to clarify this and support enforcement efforts
According to data published by the National Police Agency in March, an estimated 3.3 million people in Japan have accessed online casinos, with annual wagers totalling around ¥1.2trn. The report also noted that many users were unaware that such activity is illegal under Japanese law.
The revised bill calls on both central and local governments to conduct public awareness campaigns to inform people that online casinos are illegal. However, it does not include penalty provisions, shifting the focus to how effectively it can be enforced.
