Japan Approves Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling Amid Underage Concerns

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The Japanese government has given formal approval to a plan to combat illegal online gambling as offshore platforms draw millions of Japanese users, many of whom are under legal age.

According to a survey by the National Police Agency, approximately 3.4 million people in Japan have accessed overseas gambling sites, with nearly 2 million believed to be regular users. Total annual wagering via these platforms approaches JPY 1.2 trillion (approx. $7.8 billion). Around 5% of these users are believed to be under the age of 20, with underage gambling becoming a growing concern in Japan.

The government strategy reaffirms that accessing or using online casinos licensed overseas remains illegal in Japan, while proposing tougher restrictions and blocking online gambling advertising campaigns. Criminal penalties for players include fines of up to JPY 500,000 (approx. $3,240) and, for repeat offenders, imprisonment of up to three years.

Noriko Tanaka, of the Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, warns that Japan remains behind other jurisdictions in mitigating the harms of gambling, citing the need for more funding for prevention programs. While Japan traditionally holds a strict attitude toward gambling, there are signs this may be changing. The Japanese government is also preparing for the launch of Japan’s first integrated gambling resort at MGM Osaka by 2030.

Penalties for operators remain challenging due to the offshore nature of many platforms that Japanese gamblers access.