MGM Osaka set to begin construction in April 2025
MGM Resorts, partnering with Orix Corporation, will start the construction of the MGM Osaka project in April 2025.Costing US$8 billion, MGM Osaka is going to be the first...
Japan struggles with rising online gambling addiction
The Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, a Tokyo-based public interest group, has alarmed about a significant increase in gambling addiction driven by online casinos.
Being available 24/7 via smartphones, online casinos are players’ favorites. However, it is not only about fun. The association reported 91 cases of online casino players’ family members struggling with addiction between January and November 2024, up from just eight before COVID-19. Noriko Tanaka, the group’s leader, called for immediate action to shut down illegal online casinos.
Gambling addiction also fuels criminal behavior. More than 30% of the 681 survey respondents revealed that their addicted family members engaged in crimes like embezzlement and theft. Many turned to “yami baito” (illegal part-time jobs) to have money to gamble.
An official from the association explained:
“When gambling addiction progresses, it becomes difficult to control one’s behavior.”
To combat this crisis, the organization urges authorities to intensify measures on payment services linked to illegal online casinos. Similar trends in South Korea highlight the urgent need for global changes.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in Japan?
Gambling is generally illegal in Japan, with exceptions for public sports betting (horse racing and bicycle racing) and lotteries.
What is the legal gambling age in Japan?
The legal gambling age in Japan is 20.
Japan to have its first casino in 2030
MGM Resorts, partnering with Orix Corporation, will open its casino project in Osaka, Japan, by 2030.Being a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island...
