Japan's Upper House Votes to Ban Online Casino Ads
Japan's parliament has passed a bill banning ads and promotional materials that entice people to online casino websites.
In a plenary session held today, June 18, Japan's upper house of parliament, the House of Councillors, voted in favor of the measure to amend the law on fighting gambling addiction after it cleared the House of Representatives at the start of the month.
Under the revised law, operating or running online casino sites and apps in Japan is strictly prohibited. The ban will also extend to online ads and social media posts that direct users to virtual casino sites.
The legislation requires both national and local governments to educate the public that online casino gambling is against the law.
Since most online casino sites operating illegally in Japan are licensed by offshore regulators, the bill also empowers Japanese officials to request foreign authorities to block access to these sites from within Japan. This week, the National Police followed through by formally asking eight countries to restrict online gambling operators licensed within their borders from offering services to Japanese residents.
The revised law is expected to be enacted by the end of June and will come into force three months later. However, the effectiveness of the new law remains uncertain as it doesn't specify penalties for non-compliance.
More Regulation News
Crackdown on Online Casinos
A study by Japan's National Police Agency revealed that roughly 3.37 million people have tried online casino gambling at least once. Nearly 40% of participants in the survey said they were unaware that playing on online casino sites was illegal.
The Japanese government views online casinos as high-risk due to their widespread availability and convenient payment options, which can fuel addiction and debt. They are also seen as potential conduits for money laundering and organized crime.
As part of their efforts to address this issue, authorities have started targeting operators of online payment systems that facilitate transactions for online casinos. Celebrities and sports stars are also not left out, with some being investigated for playing on these sites.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
Latest News
Most Read
New South Wales Report Finds Lapses in Responsible Gambling Oversight
Jun 13, 2025Former Junket Operator Century Entertainment Taps Into Philippine Gaming Market
Jun 12, 2025Must Read
Interviews
Sweepstakes Casinos: Thriving in an Ever-Changing Industry – Interview with Attorney Stephen C. Piepgrass
Feb 17, 2025
Interviews
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Japan's Upper House Votes to Ban Online Casino Ads