Japan's Cabinet has approved a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal online gambling, addressing the issue of nearly 3.4 million Japanese netizens using overseas gambling sites. The strategy includes enhanced regulation, increased public awareness, and punitive measures to tackle the annual illegal gambling expenditure of 1.2 trillion yen.
Current Status of Illegal Online Gambling and Youth Risks
The National Police Agency reports that nearly 3.4 million Japanese have visited foreign gambling sites, with 1.97 million being regular users, spending an average of 1.2 trillion yen annually. About 5% of these gamblers are teenagers aged 10-19, raising concerns among parents about their children's gambling addiction without their knowledge.
Government Regulation and Legal Updates
The government has made it clear that such activities are illegal in Japan, even if the operators are regulated in other jurisdictions. Penalties include fines up to 500,000 yen and, for repeat offenders, up to three years in prison. In June 2024, the "Basic Law on Gambling Addiction Prevention" will be updated to prohibit the establishment of new online casinos and related advertising.
Development of Legal Gambling and Insufficient Prevention Funds
With the opening of the Osaka MGM casino, the legal gambling industry is set to expand. It is expected to attract 20 million visitors annually, generating 520 billion yen in revenue. However, the annual revenue from legal gambling is about 20 trillion yen, with only 840 million yen allocated for gambling addiction prevention. In 2024, 398 gambling-related suicides are expected.
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