Japanese Government to Implement Extensive Strategies Against Unlawful Online Gambling Platforms
Sizing Up Japan's Battle Against Unlawful Online Casinos
By Joe Smith, Overhauled by Lucy Davis, Published on: 07.05.2025. Last updated: 07.05.2025.
- A Staggering 3.3 million Japanese Revel in Online Casinos Despite the Prohibition
- Japanese Administration Mulling Over Blocking Strategies
- Revised Laws to criminalize players, tighten affiliate marketing regulations, and hold internet providers accountable
Stepping Up the Fight Against Online Casinos
In response to the surge in gambling addicts and illicit activities associated with gambling, the Japanese government is contemplating tough measures against unauthorized online casinos, as detailed in the Japanese daily newspaper The Japan News [Link in English].
At the close of April 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications assembled an advisory panel to weigh the possibility of obstructing such sites. This measure aims to prevent access to unlawful online casinos.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also intends to amend a core framework law designed to combat gambling addiction. It envisions forcing internet service providers to refrain from endorsing unlawful online casinos. Furthermore, affiliate websites that specifically steer users towards gambling platforms will be outlawed. Additionally, credit card transactions to selected providers will be restricted, and youth safeguard filter software is set to be fortified.
Millions of Users Despite the Ban - Alarm Bells Ring for Experts
According to the National Police Agency, around 3.37 million individuals in Japan have engaged in online casinos, despite the prohibition - the annual betting revenue exceeds 1.2 trillion JPY (approx. 7.6 billion EUR).
Younger generations are particularly vulnerable, many of whom remain oblivious to the illegality of their activities. A survey cited by the magazine Sumikai [Link in English] reveals that 43.5% of respondents remained unaware that online casinos are prohibited in Japan; 46% of those affected have accrued debt due to gambling.
It is also troubling that over 60% of users have acknowledged their addiction on their own. The ease with which one can access gambling via smartphones accelerates their descent into addiction and simultaneously makes it harder to quit.
They find themselves ensnared in [online casino gambling] as if they were playing a video game and rapidly become dependent. Given that access to online casino websites is effortlessly accessible via smartphones, it proves challenging to treat addicts by denying access.-Takanobu Matsuzaki, head of the psychiatric department of the National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, The Japan Times**
Juggling Constitutional Concerns Over Blocking
Technological tools, such as the AI-based filter software i-FILTER from software developer Digital Arts, will reportedly help impede access to gambling sites in the future. While similar measures have previously been enforceable only for child pornographic material, the advisory panel is currently assessing the feasibility of these measures for online casinos. An interim report on the practicality of these measures is anticipated by summer 2025.
The most significant hurdles would stem from constitutionally protected telecommunications secrecy, which forbids internet providers from scrutinizing data traffic. Past attempts to block access have floundered precisely at this juncture. As a result, discussions revolve around alternative measures such as voluntary blocks by foreign providers or enhanced international cooperation.
Comparing Nations: How Other States Manage Illegal Online Gambling?
While Japan is still debating the obstructing of illegal online casinos, other countries have already implemented stringent measures. Over time, numerous Western nations have leaned on targeted blocking in conjunction with payment and advertising restrictions.
A summary:
- Germany: Since the inception of the new Gambling State Treaty 2021, German authorities have actively blocked providers without a license through network blocking (DNS blocking). Additionally, payment streams are obstructed - for instance, through collaboration with banks and payment service providers.
- Austria: The Austrian gambling authority (GGL) employs IP and DNS blocking to halt unlicensed providers. The Administrative Court has already verified the legality of these blocks in 2019.
- United Kingdom: The Gambling Commission cooperates with internet providers to block illicit sites via DNS blocking. Moreover, affiliate marketing is monitored, and payment service providers must block suspicious transactions.
- Norway: Since 2024, internet providers may, per instruction from the Norwegian regulatory authority, block DNS addresses of unlawful gambling sites. Only state-authorized providers, like Norsk Tipping, are permitted to operate. Furthermore, information campaigns and fines against illegal operators are imminent.
- Denmark: The Danish Gambling Authority Spillemyndigheden imposed blocks on 49 unlawful providers in 2023, including sports betting and casino sites without a Danish authorization. Since 2012, over 270 blocks have been executed. The authority aggressively seeks new sites using automation and inputs from the public and routinely initiates legal action. Providers must exhibit the official license logo when operating legally.
- Australia: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) boasts extensive blocking powers. It frequently publishes public listings of blocked providers and requires cooperation from internet providers.
notorious Celebrity Scandals Amplify Pressure to Take Action
A significant catalyst for the recent debate surrounding the risks of illegal online casinos was a series of scandals involving celebrities and professional athletes caught participating in online gambling, including comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo agency and several baseball players.
- What measures is the Japanese government contemplating to combat unauthorized online casinos? They include obstructing such sites, amending a core framework law, and holding internet providers accountable.
- The Japanese administration is assembling an advisory panel to weigh the possibility of obstructing unlawful online casinos.
- The Liberal Democratic Party intends to amend a core framework law to force internet service providers to refrain from endorsing unlawful online casinos.
- Affiliate websites that specifically steer users towards gambling platforms will be outlawed, and credit card transactions to selected providers will be restricted.
- Youth safeguard filter software is set to be fortified as part of the proposed measures.
- According to the National Police Agency, around 3.37 million individuals in Japan have engaged in online casinos, despite the prohibition.
- Younger generations are particularly vulnerable to online casino gambling, with many remaining oblivious to its illegality.
- A survey revealed that 43.5% of respondents remained unaware that online casinos are prohibited in Japan; 46% of those affected have accrued debt due to gambling.
- Over 60% of users have acknowledged their addiction on their own, and the ease of access to online casino websites via smartphones accelerates their descent into addiction.
- Technological tools, such as the AI-based filter software i-FILTER, will reportedly help impede access to gambling sites in the future.
- The most significant hurdle in implementing stricter measures is constitutionally protected telecommunications secrecy, which forbids internet providers from scrutinizing data traffic.
- While Japan is still debating the obstructing of illegal online casinos, other countries have already implemented stringent measures, including Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, and Australia.
- In Germany, German authorities actively block providers without a license through network blocking, and payment streams are obstructed in collaboration with banks and payment service providers.
- In Australia, the Australian Communications and Media Authority boasts extensive blocking powers and frequently publishes public listings of blocked providers.
- A series of scandals involving celebrities and professional athletes caught participating in online gambling has amplified pressure to take action against unlawful online casinos.
