Japan has moved to strengthen its stance on offshore casinos, combining stricter domestic laws with international appeals to foreign regulators.
Stricter Domestic Legislation on Offshore Casinos
Japan’s parliament recently amended the Basic Act on Measures against Gambling and Other Addiction, taking a tougher approach toward online gambling. The revised law bans any content that promotes or facilitates access to offshore casinos. This includes:
- Advertisements and affiliate links
- Ranking sites and review pages
- Influencer-driven promotions
Authorities will classify such material as illegal information and request its removal from websites and social media platforms. In addition, the law prohibits residents from accessing overseas gambling sites, with enforcement expected soon after official promulgation.
These reforms align with Japan’s broader strategy to tighten control over online gambling activity and reduce public exposure to high-risk platforms.
International Push for Regulatory Cooperation
Japan is not stopping at domestic reforms. The government has also reached out to eight international jurisdictions that license many offshore operators: Malta, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Curaçao, Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, and Anjouan.
The requests include:
- Removing Japanese-language options from gambling platforms
- Blocking Japanese users from accessing these sites
- Issuing clear statements that online gambling from Japan remains illegal
By combining local enforcement with international cooperation, Japan hopes to reduce the appeal and availability of offshore casinos.
Rising Concerns Over Offshore Gambling in Japan
Authorities estimate that millions of Japanese residents have engaged with offshore casinos, with total wagers reaching trillions of yen. Many of these sites operate legally under foreign licenses while targeting Japanese players directly, leading to confusion about their legitimacy.
By taking these steps, Japan is sending a clear signal: offshore operators catering to Japanese players will face mounting regulatory pressure at home and abroad.
