Key Moments:
- Japan formally asked eight international gambling hubs in June 2025 to block their licenced casino sites for Japanese users.
- Authorities reported Japanese offshore sports betting reached ¥6.45 trillion (€42 billion) in 2024.
- Surveys found 1.97 million Japanese are active users of overseas online casinos, with average annual spending at ¥630,000 (€4,050) per user.
Japan Urges International Action on Online Gambling
In a major effort to combat unlawful online gambling, Japan issued official requests in June 2025 to eight countries. The Tokyo government asked Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan, Curaçao, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar – all key global jurisdictions for online gambling – to bar Japanese citizens from accessing their approved online casino platforms. Tokyo’s appeal underscores a move to involve overseas regulators, but it is not confirmed whether these countries have acted on the requests.
Growing Shadow Market Presents Enforcement Difficulties
Though Japanese law prohibits using foreign gambling services, millions in Japan continue to access such platforms. Officials maintain that international cooperation is essential given the borderless nature of the internet. Data from the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion highlighted that Japanese offshore sports betting reached ¥6.45 trillion (€42 billion) in 2024.
The National Police Agency’s research estimated 3.37 million Japanese tried overseas online casinos, with 1.97 million current users. These users are thought to wager a total of about ¥1.24 trillion (€8 billion) annually. Individual users reportedly spend an average of ¥630,000 (€4,050) each year on foreign casino sites.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total offshore sports betting (2024) | ¥6.45 trillion (€42 billion) |
| Number of Japanese who tried overseas casinos | 3.37 million |
| Current active casino users | 1.97 million |
| Total annual wagers | ¥1.24 trillion (€8 billion) |
| Average annual spend per user | ¥630,000 (€4,050) |
Social and Technical Challenges Complicate Efforts
Survey results reveal that nearly 3.5 percent of people aged 15 to 79 have tried online casinos, with roughly two percent as current participants. Public awareness of the illegality ranges from 56 to 60 percent, but 40 percent of casino users do not know their activity is against the law. Addiction rates are notable, as almost 60 percent of users indicated developing gambling issues, and a number reported borrowing money from various sources to fund their gambling.
Law enforcement efforts face obstacles from technological evasion techniques, such as VPN usage and false identities, which complicate tracking users. Legal and jurisdictional complexities arise as targeted countries may claim insufficient grounds to comply or see Japan’s request as a sovereignty issue. Even direct website blocking could lead operators to sidestep restrictions by shifting servers or employing alternative tactics, potentially sparking a recurring cycle of enforcement challenges.
Japanese authorities have responded to the mounting pressure by enacting stricter legislation. The number of individuals identified in connection to online casinos reached 279 in 2024, double that of the previous year, but officials acknowledge this captures only a small segment of total participation.
International Outreach and Industry Events
As a response to escalating concerns and recent scandals, Japan has sought external support to strengthen enforcement beyond its borders. The government views global collaboration as critical to addressing what it describes as a significant and socially damaging issue.
Looking ahead, SiGMA Central Europe is planned for 03-06 November 2025 in Rome, drawing together 30,000 industry participants for what is described as a pivotal event in international iGaming. The gathering is positioned as a chance for stakeholders to help define the industry’s direction.
- Author
Daniel Williams
