New Report Suggests Illegal Gambling Spend in Japan Reached $45B in 2024
A study released by the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion (C-SEP) during a Tokyo symposium has estimated that unauthorized sports betting in Japan amounted to approximately JPY6.45 trillion, or $45 billion, in 2024. The figures, shared publicly on May 14, reveal that this volume of betting was largely funneled into international markets and covered a range of sports, including professional baseball, soccer, and basketball.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Japanese legislation prohibits residents from participating in gambling on overseas websites. Despite these legal restrictions, the sheer size of the betting volume reveals deep challenges in enforcement and oversight. The report from C-SEP highlights how substantial amounts of money are leaving the country to be spent on unregulated offshore platforms.
Related: New Japan Strategy Targets Online Gambling AddictionOf the total estimated gambling volume, roughly JPY1 trillion was placed by Japanese users on local sports events using offshore sites. This includes about JPY528.1 billion ($3.68 billion) wagered on baseball, JPY333.4 billion ($2.32 billion) on domestic soccer leagues like the J.League, and JPY86.92 billion ($606 million) on basketball, including the B.League. These numbers showcase both the popularity of these sports and the extent of participation in unauthorized gambling activities.
To collect and analyze the data, C-SEP partnered with global internet service providers and consultancy firms, focusing on user traffic and online betting behavior originating from Japan. The research aimed to uncover how Japanese bettors access illegal sites and the scale of monetary outflow. Findings revealed a much larger volume of gambling funds flowing to international operators than the JPY1.24 trillion ($8.67 billion) the National Police Agency attributed to domestic online casino activity.
The report further estimates the global market size for betting on Japanese sports—including both foreign and domestic participants—to be around JPY4.9 trillion ($34.18 billion). This underscores the international appeal of Japanese sports and the significant financial losses attributed to unlicensed betting channels.
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Sports Integrity Concerns on the Rise
Integrity issues and legal concerns surrounding gambling have intensified following disciplinary actions against professional baseball athletes. Players from teams like the Yomiuri Giants and Orix Buffaloes have been referred to prosecutors over allegations of involvement with online casinos. Additionally, Nippon Professional Baseball's disciplinary committee issued fines totaling JPY10.2 million ($75,175) to 16 individuals across eight teams for breaching gambling policies.
Japan's prominence in global gambling markets is also evident through the success of its legal sectors. The Japan Racing Association's Chuo Keiba horse races generated over 3.3 trillion yen ($23 billion) in 2024, and boat racing revenues exceeded JPY2.5 trillion in the same period.
In light of ongoing concerns, several voices from Japan's political and corporate communities have proposed regulating domestic betting on sports such as professional baseball to help stem the tide of money going to illicit operators. Still, opinions remain divided. Toshikazu Yamaguchi, a C-SEP member and owner of the Yomiuri Giants, expressed skepticism, noting the lack of unified support within professional baseball circles for introducing a legalized sports betting framework.
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