Japan is considering new legislation to address the illegal use of overseas online casinos, as recent scandals involving baseball stars and comedians have highlighted a lack of public awareness about the law. While gambling is technically illegal in Japan, the government does allow limited betting on controlled events like horse racing and lotteries, with profits going back to the government. Yakuza groups have traditionally facilitated underground betting on illegal games, but the pandemic has disrupted these operations.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the gambling industry in Japan, as the government and underworld alike have seen their sources of income dry up due to restrictions on going out. Historically, the government tightly controlled gambling as a key source of income, but the emergence of online gambling has led to a loss of control. Analysts point out that the government’s monopoly on betting has been challenged by the rise of online gambling during the pandemic.
Shinichi Ishizuka, founder of the Criminal Justice Future think tank in Tokyo, notes that the government’s control over gambling has shifted with the rise of online betting. The proposed legislation aims to address the growing issue of illegal online casinos and increase public awareness of the laws surrounding gambling in Japan. The pandemic has accelerated changes in the gambling industry, prompting the government to take action to regain control over this lucrative sector.
