In a concerted effort to combat illegal online gambling, Japan’s lawmakers are preparing to introduce a new Bill aimed at tightening regulations on unlawful iGaming activities.
The initiative has garnered support from both the opposition and ruling parties, signalling a strong likelihood of its passage before the current National Diet session concludes on June 22nd.
This legislative move comes at a crucial time as Japan is poised to open its first casino resort, with two additional projects potentially in the pipeline.
A key component of the proposed legislation is a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online casino platforms, extending beyond traditional ads to include links and tools that facilitate access to these sites.
However, the enforcement of such measures remains uncertain, given the prevalence of offshore operations that fall outside Japan’s legal jurisdiction.
Current estimates suggest that approximately 3.37m Japanese citizens engage in online gambling, with many utilising offshore websites. This activity is believed to channel as much as US$8.52bn annually away from potential legal revenues.
Despite previous efforts to address gambling addiction, the issue persists, with recent data indicating that one in five young people in Japan prioritise gambling over essential expenses. To counter this, the government plans to launch public awareness campaigns highlighting the illegality of online gambling in the country.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications has also convened a panel of experts to explore more effective methods for curbing illegal gambling, including potential website blockades. However, the absence of penalties in the proposed Bill raises concerns about its likely effectiveness in deterring illegal online casinos.
