Japanese lawmakers have once again confirmed their opposition to legalising sports betting, citing ongoing concerns about match-fixing and athlete protection. A cross-party group of Diet members focused on sports promotion unanimously reaffirmed its stance during a meeting held Tuesday at the Diet Building.
The interparty coalition, led by former Prime Minister Taro Aso, agreed to strengthen formal measures aimed at preventing match manipulation while maintaining Japan’s ban on sports betting.
Task Force Targets Match-Fixing Risks
To reinforce its position, the group established a dedicated task force chaired by former Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita. The team will focus on preventing match-fixing, fraud, and manipulation, while also protecting athletes and referees from criminal influence.
Lawmakers plan to begin broader legislative discussions early next year. Through this process, they aim to examine how Japan can better address betting-related risks without opening the door to legalised sports wagering. As a result, prevention and integrity measures remain the priority rather than market expansion.
Japan’s Strict Gambling Framework
Under Japan’s Penal Code, gambling remains illegal except for state-supervised public racing. These approved activities include horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing, and motorcycle racing, all of which operate under central or local government oversight.
Historically, these systems emerged during the postwar reconstruction period to support public finances. Since then, authorities have directed revenue toward social welfare and other public spending. Consequently, Japan has maintained a clear policy line between tightly controlled public racing and broader gambling activities.
Offshore Betting Continues Despite Ban
Even so, illegal sports betting continues through overseas platforms that offer Japanese-language services. These sites allow users to wager on both international sports and domestic competitions such as J.League football.
According to the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion, Japanese users wagered at least ¥6.5 trillion through offshore betting sites in 2024 alone. Moreover, many participants reportedly remain unaware that using these platforms violates Japanese law. This lack of awareness highlights enforcement challenges and gaps in public understanding.
Past Scandals Shape Current Policy
Lawmakers often point to historical cases when explaining their cautious approach. In 1969, a major match-fixing scandal led to the lifetime bans of several professional baseball players linked to organised crime gambling. Since then, sports organisations have enforced strict rules banning athlete involvement in gambling.
However, modern conditions have created new risks. Social media has made athletes more accessible, which in turn increases exposure to potential manipulators. Recent cases underline this concern, including the seven-year ban imposed on J.League player Riku Danzaki for intentional fouls linked to illegal betting, as well as the high-profile gambling case involving Ippei Mizuhara, interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani.
Global Match-Fixing and International Standards
During recent symposiums, the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion highlighted the global scale of match-fixing. Presentations revealed that criminal networks in Europe have manipulated competitions across more than 40 countries, showing how international and organised these operations have become.
Former Olympic minister Toshiaki Endo stressed the need for strong protections for athletes and referees. Meanwhile, Nippon Professional Baseball commissioner Sadayuki Sakakibara warned that illegal cross-border betting could seriously undermine public trust in sport.
Looking ahead, Yamashita said lawmakers will study the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, which outlines international standards for combating sports manipulation. While Japan is not a signatory, officials plan to use the framework as a reference point to develop domestic rules that reflect both global best practices and Japan’s unique sports environment.
