{"id":777045326,"date":"2026-07-24T08:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/?p=777045326"},"modified":"2026-07-24T08:30:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:30:57","slug":"online-gaming-website-blocking-still-being-considered-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/online-gaming-website-blocking-still-being-considered-in-japan","title":{"rendered":"Online gaming website blocking still being considered in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
A government expert panel has concluded that website blocking could be an effective tool to combat illegal online casinos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japan.- An expert panel established by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has again concluded that blocking access to illegal online casino websites could be an effective way to reduce their use and should not be ruled out. However, the panel backed calls for the government to first evaluate the effectiveness of other measures already being introduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report included the results of a public consultation held in May and June, which received submissions from 236 organisations<\/strong>, companies and individuals. Most respondents supported website blocking, arguing that it would make it more difficult to access illegal gambling sites, particularly for younger people, and that existing enforcement measures are no longer sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the proposal also raised concerns over privacy and constitutional rights. Opponents argued that website blocking would require telecommunications companies to examine users’ internet traffic, potentially conflicting with constitutional protections covering the secrecy of communications. They urged the government to prioritise less restrictive measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japan is already implementing measures making it illegal for social media posts to direct users to online casino websites. It’s also requesting that foreign jurisdictions hosting offshore gambling operators restrict access from Japan. The government plans to review the effectiveness of these measures before making a decision on whether to use website blocking.<\/p>\n\n\n