Millions in Japan Illegally Gamble Online, Study Finds

• Study finds 3 million Japanese gamble online despite laws
• Government plans stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns
• Celebrities’ influence contributes to rising gambling rates

More than 3 million Japanese, or around 3.5% of the population, engage in online gambling, despite its strict prohibition in the country, according to a new survey by the National Police Agency (NPA).

The study estimated that Japanese gamblers spend 1.24 trillion yen (US$8.4 billion) annually playing on offshore casinos and sports betting sites.

In addition, Japanese businesses will be encouraged to prohibit gambling advertising and promotional content, while social media campaigns will be launched to increase awareness of the law.

Debt and Addiction

The survey was conducted among 27,145 individuals aged 15 to 79. It found that nearly 60% of those who admitted to online gambling said they had struggled with addiction. Some 46% reported falling into debt.

There was also a widespread lack of awareness regarding the legality of online gambling. Nearly 43.5% of the surveyed population was unaware that the practice was illegal in Japan.

About 23% of those who gambled online said they were influenced by celebrities, including professional athletes and entertainers, who have been associated with online casino promotions.

Celebrities Punished

It’s hoped that the recent punishment of several Japanese celebrities for their involvement in online gambling will help hammer the message home.

In January, Olympic table tennis player Koki Niwa was fined for gambling online, while February saw multiple Nippon Professional Baseball players implicated for similar offenses. Also in February, police questioned comedians affiliated with the Yoshimoto Kogyo talent agency on suspicion of gambling online.

One, Kuruma Takahira, half of a popular comedy duo, admitted to the allegation and publicly apologized on social media.

In 2018, Japanese lawmakers approved a controversial bill to legalize casinos in the country, although seven years later, none have gotten off the ground. MGM Resorts will begin construction of MGM Osaka, an integrated resort in Osaka, in April 2025.