Japan Moves to Crack Down on Online Casinos

Key Takeaways:

• Japan's Liberal Democratic Party is exploring amendments to gambling addiction laws
• Proposed changes include prohibiting internet businesses from promoting online casino sites
• The government aims to revise its basic plan for gambling addiction measures by fiscal year-end

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is taking steps to tighten regulations on online casinos, reflecting growing concerns about gambling addiction and illegal access to offshore gambling sites. The party's research commission on public safety, counterterrorism, and cybercrime measures, led by House of Representatives member Sanae Takaichi, is at the forefront of these efforts.

The LDP is considering amendments to the basic law on measures against gambling addiction. One key proposal involves prohibiting internet business operators from luring users to online casino sites or apps. This move aims to curb the rising popularity of offshore gambling platforms among Japanese residents.

In a significant development, the government launched a multi-agency liaison meeting last September to address online casino issues. This initiative involves key bodies such as the National Police Agency, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, and the Financial Services Agency.

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry is set to engage with experts to explore effective deterrence strategies, including the possibility of blocking access to online casino sites. This approach mirrors methods used in other jurisdictions to limit access to unlicensed gambling platforms.

As part of its comprehensive strategy, the government plans to revise its basic plan for promoting measures against gambling addiction by the end of the current fiscal year. These revisions are expected to include provisions for credit card companies to halt payments in certain situations and promote wider use of content filtering technology to protect minors.

Additionally, the government intends to launch an internet advertising campaign to educate the public about the illegality of accessing or using online casinos in Japan, even if these platforms are legal in other countries.

These proposed measures come in response to the growing popularity of online gambling in Japan. Recent estimates suggest that over 3 million people in the country have engaged with online casino platforms, highlighting the scale of the issue and the need for regulatory action.

As Japan navigates these changes, the online gambling industry and players alike will be watching closely to see how these new regulations might reshape the digital betting landscape in one of Asia's largest economies.