Japan investigates 6 comedians for illegal gambling
According to the japantimes, six comedians from Yoshimoto Kogyo, one of Japan’s biggest entertainment agencies, are under investigation for gambling on foreign online...
Japan to block iGaming payments and promotions
The Japanese government is taking action against iGaming addiction with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet’s approval of a new plan to crack down on payment agencies and promoters of online casinos.
Businesses will also be urged to stop displaying iGaming ads, and social media campaigns will remind people that online gambling is illegal in Japan.
Yoshitaka Ito, the minister responsible for tackling gambling addiction, commented:
“There are strong indications the number of people accessing online casino sites is increasing, leading to the accompanying problem of addiction,” he said during a news conference after the Cabinet meeting.
A police survey found that 3.37 million people in Japan have gambled illegally on foreign casino websites, with almost 2 million active users spending ¥1.2 trillion ($8.07 billion) annually. The issue has drawn attention after recent gambling scandals involving well-known figures.
Noriko Tanaka, representative director of The Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, said:
“The government says online casinos will be subject to stricter controls. But what exactly will this involve? In order to enforce stricter controls, it will be necessary to take legislative action.”
Authorities consider imposing fines of up to ¥500,000 ($3,363) and possible jail time for repeat offenders. Earlier, Japan considered blocking illegal iGaming websites in response to the growing threats by the industry.
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 considers blocking illegal iGaming websites
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is considering blocking illegal iGaming websites in response to the growing threats by the industry.Earlier,...
