Japan’s Parliament Approves Bill Targeting Online Gambling
Japan’s parliament recently passed a revised bill that bans advertisements promoting online casino gambling. In a plenary session on Wednesday, the upper house approved the measure, which aims to curb gambling addiction and will take effect by September 2025.
The bill makes it illegal to operate online casinos within Japan and prohibits sharing information that could lead users to such platforms. Furthermore, the law requires national and local governments to inform the public that online casino gambling remains illegal under Japanese law.
Government Responds to Rising Online Casino Use
This legislation follows a March police survey revealing that approximately 3.37 million Japanese people engage in online casino gambling, spending around JPY1.24 trillion ($8.7 billion) annually. Although many online casinos operate legally overseas, Japanese authorities ban citizens from accessing these platforms. Earlier this year, the government urged eight foreign jurisdictions—including Malta, Curacao, Canada, and the Isle of Man—to block their licensed casinos from Japanese users.
No Expansion for Online Gambling Despite Integrated Resorts
Meanwhile, Japan prepares to open its first integrated resort (IR), MGM Osaka, by 2030. However, this new law signals the government’s firm opposition to expanding online gambling legalization. Although officials identified two other sites for possible IR development, experts doubt these projects will move forward soon.
Currently, Japan permits only limited legal gambling, such as lotteries and betting on public races like horse, bicycle, boat, and motorcycle racing. Therefore, this bill reinforces Japan’s ongoing commitment to cracking down on illegal online gambling and protecting its citizens.
