Millions Gambling Online in Japan Despite Warnings
The US generates more online gambling revenue than any other country. Next comes the UK, then Australia — and Japan is fourth.
That's according to recent data from Statista. That list may not look very surprising — until you hear that in Japan, online gambling is illegal.
And yet the estimated online gambling revenue in Japan for 2024 is $6.3 billion, almost 13% higher than in 2023. That's a lot of money from something that isn't legal.
But ICLG, an organization that compares legislation around the world, says Japanese online gambling laws are not clear.
Companies based in Japan are not allowed to operate online casinos, but millions of people in Japan access foreign-based betting sites every day.
Prosecutions for using these sites are rare. And according to Vixio, a group that works with the gambling industry, foreign-based gambling sites just say their Japanese customers use these sites at their own risk.
Vixio says Japanese gamblers are also advised not to talk about online betting on blogs or message boards, and to be careful when entering personal data.
In 2022, the Japanese police posted reminders, including a public advertisement, that online gambling is illegal, and people found guilty could be fined or even sent to prison if they gamble or help others to do so.
But this hasn't stopped people from gambling online. And while some want the government to do more and prevent people from developing gambling problems, others think it's time to legalize the industry.
People are already allowed to place bets on a small number of sports in Japan, including horse racing and boat racing, while it's also legal to play the lottery and pachinko, which is like a pinball machine mixed with a slot machine.
And with the country's first casino due to open in Osaka in 2029, the government may have a decision to make when it comes to online versions of gambling.
