In a significant move to combat illegal online gambling, the National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan will begin requesting the removal of overseas-based online casino websites and related advertisements targeting the domestic market.
This new regulatory initiative is scheduled to take effect on September 25, coinciding with the enforcement of the country’s revised basic law on gambling addiction.
The updated legislation, passed in June, provides a clear legal framework that criminalizes not only the operation of casino sites for the Japanese market but also their promotion and advertising.
In response, the NPA will formally contact both domestic and international operators and service providers, urging them to block access to these sites and remove any promotional content aimed at Japanese users.
While many of the targeted gambling platforms are legally hosted in foreign countries, the revised law unequivocally classifies their Japan-facing operations and marketing efforts as illegal. T
To bolster enforcement, the NPA’s Internet Hotline Center, previously responsible for monitoring content related to child abuse and narcotics, will now extend its oversight to include online gambling materials.
This expanded scope will also cover promotional videos that encourage online casino use.
Authorities are also finalizing updated guidelines to identify and flag specific language designed to attract Japanese players, such as phrases like “Japanese support available.” Platforms that offer “free” versions or feature disclaimers will not be exempt from scrutiny if they are ultimately judged to be promoting illegal activities.
According to the National Police of Japan estimates, approximately 3.37 million people in Japan have visited online casino websites, highlighting the scale of the issue that the new measures aim to address.
