Japan is intensifying its crackdown on internet betting by introducing a bill aiming to halt online casino activities and their promotion within the country. The bill has recently garnered significant attention by successfully passing the House of Representatives through a joint effort between the dominant Liberal Democratic Party and its opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, as reported by Nippon News.
Currently, the bill seeks to amend existing laws to combat gambling addiction and has moved into consideration in the House of Councillors. There is optimism that the bill will be enacted before the current parliamentary session concludes on June 22, according to The Mainichi.
The legislation is clear in its objective: to target the foundations of online casino operations and anyone attempting to attract players to these illegal venues via websites or social media. It is also prompting social media platforms to remove any content that appears to promote online gambling.
Until now, engaging in online casinos from within Japan has been prohibited, with potential fines of up to ¥500,000 and, for repeat offenders, the possibility of facing up to three years in prison as per the existing Penal Code.
The crackdown is a response to the digital age’s surge in illegal gambling activities, particularly through smartphones. A survey conducted by the National Police Agency indicates that approximately 3.37 million Japanese citizens are involved in online gambling, with an annual spend of ¥1.24 trillion ($8.7 billion) on these activities, raising serious concerns.
In Japan, approved forms of gambling are limited to officially sanctioned methods like lotteries or betting on horse, boat, bicycle, and motorcycle races.
However, with high-profile cases of celebrities and athletes becoming embroiled in online gambling scandals, there is an increasing demand for more stringent regulations. The bill aims not only to target casino operators but also to extend its scope to individuals who promote and facilitate access to these illegal betting platforms, making it a major development in Japan’s efforts to control the proliferation of online casinos.