Japan Rolls Out New Anti-Online Gambling Laws

Japan has been adamant about cracking down on online casinos and gambling, both of which are illegal in the country. Now, the Land of the Rising Sun has enacted a new set of laws that should theoretically empower it to pursue tougher and more decisive action against actors that help promote and administer online casinos, and other illicit activities tied to the industry.

Japan’s New Anti-Gambling Laws Take Effect

Japan has already been reaching out to overseas counterparts in the hopes of convincing regulators to apply pressure on grey area websites that do not formally operate in Japan, but target Japanese citizens, nevertheless.

Closer to home, the country is going to administer tighter control on instances of online gambling content that appears on the Internet and demand its takedown by website administrations and social media platforms, similar to what is happening in Malaysia.

Specifically, the country wants to take down gambling ads that appear on platforms such as YouTube, which tell consumers how to register at online casinos and even download dedicated apps. The bill also goes a step further to prohibit any celebrities from endorsing a gambling product of any sort.

Japan is also cracking down on ordinary citizens, going after individual instances of people gambling, whether aware or unaware of the fact that online casinos are illegal. However, the government is similarly cognizant of the need to also promote the fact that there is a lack of awareness about the issue and is seeking to highlight the risks associated with online gambling, including the fact that the activity is illegal.

Raising Awareness to Be One of Pivots of New Laws

Gamblers in Japan may already be spending as much as $8.4 billion on illegal gambling every year, causing societal as well as to the country. Japan, though, is not planning on taking a more liberal approach to online gambling, such as regulating it, for example.

The country is spearheading the launch of three casino resorts; however, the first of which should arrive over the next couple of years – the MGM Osaka. Bidders for the other two remaining slots are supposedly already in talks with the local administration and Japanese partners.