Japan Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling

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Japan has stepped up efforts to stop illegal gambling by directly contacting overseas regulators. Specifically, it asked authorities in eight countries such as Canada, Malta, Curacao, and Gibraltar to block access to offshore online casinos that target Japanese players. Although Japan bans online gambling, many people still use foreign sites. This illegal activity causes huge losses each year. Therefore, Japan needs international cooperation to control operators licensed abroad but serving Japanese customers.

The Scale of Offshore Illegal Gambling in Japan

Reports show about 3.37 million Japanese players currently use offshore online casinos. They wager around ¥1.24 trillion ($8 billion) annually. Many operators offer Japanese language support and accept yen, which increases their appeal locally. Moreover, Japan recently passed laws banning not only online gambling but also advertisements promoting it. These laws impose penalties, including fines and jail time. This crackdown supports Japan’s future integrated resorts like MGM Osaka and aims to protect society from gambling risks.

Challenges in Enforcement and Cooperation

Despite Japan’s strong diplomatic approach, the country faces challenges enforcing these measures. For example, players use VPNs to bypass blocks, and foreign regulators may lack the resources to police all operators effectively. Nevertheless, cooperation remains essential. Australia faces similar issues with offshore gambling. In short, Japan’s actions highlight a growing global effort against unregulated online gambling, but results may take time to show.

For more insights into gambling-related news, visit iGaming News.


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