Japanese Government Tries To Crack Down Illegal Gambling — Again

By Natasa Milojevic, Last updated Apr 9, 2025

If you thought everyone and their grandma already knew almost all forms of gambling are illegal in Japan, think again. It seems like some people in Japan are either purposefully or unknowingly breaking the law, and the Japanese government doesn’t want to let this slide. 

Here’s what ticked the Japanese government off.  

Essentially, all types of online gambling in Japan are illegal if they’re coming from a gambling site operating outside of Japan. The only thing Japanese players are allowed to do is bet on horse, bicycle, motorcycle, and motorboat races in government-approved places. 

But the rising numbers of gambling addicts, coupled with an alarming number of Japanese players having no idea offshore gambling is illegal in their country, pulls back the curtain on the mess. 

So this time, the Japanese government seems locked in in cleaning that mess up once and for all.

In that spirit, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed that they will go after everyone working with shady, illegal casinos. This includes payment companies that move money to offshore casinos, but also people (influencers and affiliate websites) who promote illegal platforms. 

The old rules for players caught gambling at an offshore casino still apply, including a fine of up to ¥500,000 for first-time offenders and a prison sentence of up to 3 years for habitual players. 

It seems like after so many arrests and investigations the government carried out over the years, Japan is finally in its ‘enough is enough’ era. But will this really do it if it’s all crime and punishment and zero focus on gambling addiction? Sounds like a plot twist just waiting to happen. 

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