Japan Cracks Down on Illegal Online Gambling with New Law Targeting Intermediaries and Promotion

The revised law, enacted by the Japanese Parliament on Wednesday, aims to address growing concerns over gambling addiction, mounting personal debt, and the risk of money laundering via offshore platforms.

The new measures prohibit any websites, social media posts, or other digital content that provide access or promotion to online casinos, even if those platforms are legally registered overseas. Although many of these sites operate outside of Japan’s borders, domestic law still considers participation in such services illegal. With this legal revision, authorities are now empowered to issue takedown requests for content that encourages or facilitates use of these gambling platforms.

The legislation will officially take effect three months after its promulgation, allowing the government time to coordinate enforcement strategies and roll out public awareness campaigns. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, along with law enforcement, is expected to play a key role in identifying violative content and pressuring digital platforms to comply.

Police data suggests that around 3 million people in Japan have accessed illegal online gambling services, with total annual spending on such platforms estimated at ¥1.24 trillion (US$8.6 billion). Officials are concerned not only about the social costs—such as addiction and personal bankruptcy—but also the potential for these platforms to serve as conduits for money laundering and organized crime.

The law’s passage follows a wave of public scrutiny triggered by recent scandals involving high-profile celebrities and athletes found to be gambling through offshore sites. These incidents sparked widespread calls for tighter regulation and greater deterrence.

By targeting the promotional and intermediary channels that connect Japanese users to these platforms, lawmakers hope to restrict casual access, discourage risky behaviour, and restore greater integrity to Japan’s digital ecosystem.