In Japan and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (pictured) has reportedly detailed that his administration has no plans to legalize online casinos and reiterated that such enterprises are to remain ‘a gambling crime’.

According to a report from Inside Asian Gaming, the 64-year-old replaced elder predecessor Yoshihide Suga in October and could now remain in office until the autumn of 2025. The source explained that the Liberal Democratic politician made his comments during a House of Councillors budget meeting on Wednesday while additionally promising to increasingly crack down on any local instances of iGaming.

Retail revolution:

Japan is home to almost 126 million people and passed legislation in July of 2018 that could soon see it license a trio of disparate communities to host giant Las Vegas-style integrated casino resorts. Kishida is known to be an advocate for the premiere of these three facilities although none are to be permitted to offer online gambling services beyond the already-allowed sports wagering markets involving public-run horse, bicycle and powerboat races.

Interesting interrogation:

Kishida reportedly made his anti-iGaming declaration in response to a question from councilman Issei Yamagishi after the Constitutional Democratic representative noted that online casino inquiries to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan had almost quintupled over the course of the six years from 2014. The politician also purportedly contended that there were now more than two million locals who enjoy real-money gambling remotely, which is high considering that in excess of 9.5 million already legally wager on powerboat, horse and bicycle racing.

Kishida reportedly stated…

“In the event a portion of the act of gambling is taking place within Japan, it constitutes a gambling crime. I understand there are cases in which arrests and criminal charges have been made related to online casinos and we cannot allow illegal organizations to expand.”

Adequate aegis:

Yamagishi reportedly moreover asked the Prime Minister for his opinion on whether the Basic Policy on Gambling Addiction, which was additionally passed in the summer of 2018, is sufficient to counteract instances of proxy betting and gambling addiction. Kishida purportedly proclaimed that this piece of legislation ‘focuses on countermeasures for addiction to be taken by operators in legal gambling’ and does not deal with illicit activities such as online casinos.

Kishida reportedly declared…

“Online casinos are illegal and cracking down on illegal gambling is the entire point of the basic plan in my opinion. Integrated casino resorts are not only casinos but also meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition and tourist centers. I will work with the related ministries and agencies to crack down on online casinos and one important issue is understanding the flow of capital and another is countermeasures for addiction.”