In Japan, the use of online casinos has been on the rise. Despite the prohibition of gambling outside of government-sanctioned betting, access to online casinos, where money is wagered through smartphones and other devices, is increasing.
This trend is believed to be influenced by the stay-at-home lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic and the convenience of being able to gamble 24/7. Some experts even describe Japan as a “hidden casino giant.” These online casinos are licensed overseas and offer Japanese language support for their operations.
2.88 Million Online Casino Users in Japan
The number of accesses to VeraJohn Casino, the foreign casino site with the most accesses from Japan, was reportedly about 650,000 in December 2018, and while repeatedly increasing and decreasing, the number of accesses jumped to 49.83 million in November 2020, a shocking fact. It is said there are 2.88 million online casino users in japan.
Behind this rapid growth of foreign casino sites is the consumption of the Corona Disaster, which is “caged inside” and the marketing offensive by foreign operators aimed at this consumption.
For example, VeraJohn, which was reported in a newspaper report to have the most access from Japan, has become a sponsor of the popular Japanese late-night radio program “All Night Nippon” and has begun to broadcast mass advertising on the public airwaves with impunity.
Reference : https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/7083fab375fe4a2a3275a97f0d3ec29b95d299e3
Is Online Casino Legal in Japan?
In Japan, online gambling, including online casinos, is mostly illegal. The country’s gambling laws are strict, with only certain government-regulated sports betting and lotteries being legal.
However, Japan’s stance is evolving, especially with the legalization of integrated resorts that include casinos. Yet, for now, participating in online casino activities within Japan is illegal. Using overseas-based online casinos is a legal gray area.
41% thinks Online Casino in Japan is illegal.
Questionnaire on Illegality Perceptions of Online Casino Use by Users in Japan
18% thinks Online Casino in Japan is legal.
41% thinks Online Casino in Japan is gray zone.
Conducted by: International Casino Research Institute
Subjects: 100 men and women in Japan
Method: Random sampling from an Internet survey panel, with sex and age groups matched to the actual demographic composition of Japanese society
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/7083fab375fe4a2a3275a97f0d3ec29b95d299e3
How National Police Agency Says
Below are comments from the Japanese National Police Agency on the illegality of online casinos.
Pachinko, a type of slot machine, is not recognised as gambling under Japanese law.
Although pachinko is the most familiar form of gambling for Japanese people, it is not recognised as gambling under the law and is not state-run.
However, pachinko parlours are not prosecuted for gambling.
The current ambiguity of the law on gambling in Japan creates a grey area of
オンラインカジノは、海外の事業者が合法的に運営しているものであれば、日本国内で、個人的にこれを利用しても犯罪にならないと考えていませんか？
海外で合法的に運営されているオンラインカジノであっても、日本国内から接続して賭博を行うことは犯罪です。
実際にオンラインカジノを利用した賭客を賭博罪で検挙した事例もあります。
賭博は犯罪です。絶対にやめましょう。
※賭博罪 賭博をした者は、50万円以下の罰金又は科料
※常習賭博罪 常習として賭博をした者は、３年以下の懲役
English Translation
Do you think that if an online casino is operated legally by an overseas operator, it is not a crime to use it personally in Japan?
Even if an online casino is legally operated abroad, it is a crime to connect and gamble from within Japan.
In fact, there have been cases where bettors using online casinos have been arrested for gambling.
Gambling is a crime. It is a crime and must be stopped.
Gambling offences: A person who gambles is liable to a fine of up to ¥500,000 or a fine.
https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/safetylife/hoan/onlinecasino/onlinecasino.html#:~:text=%E6%B5%B7%E5%A4%96%E3%81%A7%E5%90%88%E6%B3%95%E7%9A%84%E3%81%AB,%E8%B3%AD%E5%8D%9A%E3%81%AF%E7%8A%AF%E7%BD%AA%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%80%82
Habitual gambler A person who gambles habitually is liable to imprisonment for up to three years.
Summary
The current Online Casino market in Japan continues to see an increasing number of new platforms and affiliate media entering the market.
There are two types of Online Casino platforms in Japan.
Online Casinos that operate for overseas markets and have Japanese language support in their subs.
Online Casinos that appear to operate for the international market, but target Japan only.
Successful online casino platforms in the Japanese market, such as VeraJohn, Yuigado and ELDOAH, are probably the latter.
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