Japan sets date for advertising ban on offshore online casinos
Foreign online casino promotions aimed at Japanese users will be considered illegal.
Japan.- Last month, the House of Councillors passed a bill to ban online casinos ads in Japan. It’s now been reported that the ban will be enforced from September 25. The ban includes posts on social media, banner ads and video content.
The National Police Agency (NPA) will collaborate with the Internet Hotline Centre to request the takedown of content that guides users to illegal gambling platforms. Requests will be sent to domestic and international operators, social media platforms and hosting providers. Websites that claim to offer “free” gaming could also face removal if judged to promote illegal gambling.
According to the NPA, an estimated 3.37 million people in Japan have accessed online casino sites, and more than 70 per cent of them have placed real-money bets. Annual wagers on these platforms are thought to reach ¥1.2tn (US$7.5bn). Although many of these sites are legally licensed in jurisdictions like Curaçao, Malta, and the Isle of Man, Japanese law deems any gambling service directed at domestic users illegal.
The new law classifies gambling-related content as “illegal information,” expanding the scope of the Internet Hotline Centre, which currently handles reports on child abuse and drug-related content. Cyber patrols will also be intensified to detect and flag violative material.
Japan has already contacted authorities in eight countries and regions, including Canada, Costa Rica, and Gibraltar, urging them to help block Japanese access to these platforms or prevent operators from accepting bets from Japan. A government panel is reviewing possible tools, including website blocking and the use of content filters on smartphones.
