Japan is set to introduce tougher restrictions on online gambling as the country’s House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday aimed at outlawing both the operation and advertisement of online casinos. The measure, which revises existing legislation on gambling addiction, gained strong backing from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP).

The bill prohibits the establishment of online casinos in the country and criminalizes efforts to promote such platforms through websites or social media. It also places new responsibilities on social media companies to remove content that encourages or links users to these illegal gambling operations. The House of Councillors will now deliberate on the measure, and it is expected to be enacted by the end of the current parliamentary session, which concludes on June 22.

Growing Use of Online Casinos Prompts Legislative Action

The move follows a growing wave of public concern over illegal online gambling in Japan. A recent police survey revealed that approximately 3.37 million people in the country have engaged in online casino activities, with estimated annual expenditures reaching 1.24 trillion yen (roughly $8.7 billion). Despite their legal status in some countries, online casinos remain unauthorized in Japan, and participating in them from within the nation is illegal.

Current Japanese law imposes fines of up to 500,000 yen on those who access and wager on such platforms. Repeat offenders can face imprisonment for up to three years under the Penal Code. Legal gambling activities in Japan are strictly limited to government-regulated options such as lotteries and betting on horse, boat, motorcycle, and bicycle races.

A few days ago a 38-year-old man was arrested in what was called the largest individual online gambling case in Japan’s history. The suspect, Makoto Chomabayashi, was accused of placing bets worth nearly $194 million through an international online casino website.

Celebrity Use and Smartphone Access Add Fuel to the Fire

One of the key catalysts for the bill has been the rise in reports of celebrities and athletes gambling through virtual casinos, further intensifying the demand for stricter oversight. Lawmakers emphasized that many of these platforms are easily accessible via smartphones, making it difficult for authorities to regulate usage and increasing the risk of addiction among the public.

The revised legislation also targets digital promotion tactics, aiming to curtail the ways in which users are enticed to gamble. “The legislation is aimed at encouraging social network operators to delete related information,” Jiji Press reported, emphasizing the proactive role expected from online platforms in combating the spread of illegal gambling.

Public and Political Momentum for Reform

The draft bill was initially introduced in mid-May after discussions involving eight political parties and groups. It reflects a concerted effort to address gambling-related harm, which advocacy groups say has risen sharply in recent years. The Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction reported that between 2019 and 2024, consultation requests related to gambling addiction jumped from just eight to 91 annually—a more than elevenfold increase.

While online casinos operate legally in some overseas jurisdictions, Japanese authorities maintain a strict stance on their illegality within the country’s borders. “Gambling is illegal in Japan even if an online casino is operating legally overseas,” noted Xinhua News Agency, underlining the firm domestic policy despite global trends.

The upcoming review by the House of Councillors is expected to proceed smoothly, given the broad bipartisan support the bill received in the Lower House. Once enacted, the revised law will solidify Japan’s commitment to stemming the tide of illegal online gambling and mitigating its societal impacts.