Illegal Online Casinos in Japan: Why Authorities Are Stepping Up Enforcement?

The rising advent of online gambling has caught the notice of law enforcement leading to more stringent measures against illegal casino operators and users. While the online casinos in this case operate legitimately overseas, their use by anyone in Japan be it operators or users is illegal according to their national law. Despite this, millions of Japanese people access these platforms and are often unaware of their illegality.

A recent case was brought to attention where one of the celebrities involved was Koki Niwa, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist. He was taken under investigation by the prosecutors after he was suspected of gambling on an offshore online casino where he used cryptocurrency in transactions.

Authorities have also targeted and arrested “settlement agents” who aid illegal gambling transactions as well as in uncovering money laundering businesses exploiting casino profits.

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With increasing access to online casinos particularly via smartphones, gambling addiction and financial distress have risen. Some users faced with debts turn to illicit activities spurred on by “shadowy part time jobs” advertised heavily on social media.

The government is trying to enforce stricter financial scrutiny by restricting misleading advertisements and conducting social media campaigns for public awareness. Although shutting down offshore casino operators remains a basic problem, Japan aims to close the flow of funds to alert more people from being caught up in illegal online gambling.