In a groundbreaking study, the National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan has disclosed startling figures on the scope of online casino gambling within the nation. An estimated 3.37 million Japanese citizens have engaged in online gambling, with the total annual bets reaching approximately 1.24 trillion yen (around $8.40 billion). This comprehensive survey, the first of its kind aimed explicitly at understanding the online gambling landscape in Japan, paints a worrying picture of the growing gambling addiction crisis.

The legal paradox of online gambling in Japan:

Carried out from July of the previous year through January, the survey analyzed responses from a vast sample size of approximately 27,000 Japanese residents aged between 15 and 79. Of these, 500 admitted to having experience with online casinos. The findings are alarming: 75.2% of those who initially played free versions on their smartphones transitioned to paid versions, gambling with real money. Moreover, a significant portion, 59.6%, conceded to struggling with gambling addiction.

Despite the legality of certain forms of gambling and the move towards establishing integrated resorts (IR) with casinos, such as the upcoming MGM Osaka project, online gambling from within Japan remains illegal. According to The Asahi Shimbun, an official from the NPA emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “The survey highlights the prevalence of illegal gambling, and the situation is extremely serious.”

The survey also uncovered that a large segment of the population, 43.5%, is unaware of the legal status of online casinos in Japan. This ignorance extends to some alarming practices; 46.2% of those with gambling experience have borrowed money from various sources, including consumer finance companies and family members, to fund their gambling habits.

Further compounding the problem are celebrity endorsements and promotions framing online casinos as safe options for gambling. The NPA is actively urging celebrities and promoters to halt such advertisements, warning that they might be construed as aiding and abetting illegal activities.

Striking statistics and national concerns:

The average annual betting amount per user was found to be around 630,000 yen, according to the survey’s data. Based on usage rates across different age groups, the total amount wagered per year is roughly 1.24 trillion yen.

This survey by the NPA was initiated in response to mounting concerns about the impacts of online casinos. It serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges that Japan faces in regulating and curbing illegal online gambling activities. The government and regulatory bodies are called upon to take stringent actions to address these issues, especially considering the potential for increased gambling addiction among the population.