Japan to target offshore casino sites under revised gambling law
Police prepare crackdown on illegal advertising and access to online casinos.
Key points:
– Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) to begin takedown requests for offshore casino websites
– Revised law prohibits the operation and promotion of online casinos targeting Japan
– Over three million residents estimated to have accessed such platforms
Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) will begin requesting the removal of overseas-based online casino websites and advertisements targeting domestic users, as part of a new regulatory push to tackle illegal gambling. According to The Japan News, the action is set to coincide with the enforcement of the revised basic law on gambling addiction measures, taking effect on 25 September.
The revised legislation, passed in June, clarifies that it is illegal not only to operate or facilitate casino sites for Japan’s market, but also to promote or advertise them. The NPA will reach out to both domestic and international operators and service providers, urging them to block access and delete promotional content aimed at Japanese users.
While many of these gambling platforms are legally hosted abroad, the law now treats their Japanese-facing operations and marketing as violations. The NPA’s Internet Hotline Center, previously tasked with monitoring content related to child abuse and narcotics, is expected to expand its oversight to cover gambling content.
Good to know: The NPA plans to collaborate with the Internet Hotline Center to widen the scope of content flagged and removed, including videos that promote casino use
Authorities are also drafting updated guidelines that flag problematic language used to entice users, such as “Japanese support available” or “highly recommended.” Even platforms offering ‘free’ versions or including disclaimers may fall under scrutiny if judged to promote illegal activity.
The NPA estimates that around 3.37 million individuals in Japan have visited online casino sites. The upcoming enforcement aims to send a clear signal that such activity will no longer be tolerated.
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