Key Moments:
- Tokyo police referred a 13-year-old boy with a severe online gambling addiction to a child guidance center after he accessed an overseas online casino about 7,000 times in a seven-month period.
- The boy reportedly lost cryptocurrency valued at ¥260,000 (approximately €1,600) using funds obtained via PayPay’s platform without strict identity checks.
- New Japanese regulations effective from 25 September 2025 prohibit online gambling advertisements and block the launch of new online casinos.
Escalating Incidents of Underage Gambling
Authorities in Tokyo have highlighted the case of a 13-year-old boy from Kanagawa Prefecture, referred to a child guidance center due to a severe online gambling addiction. Reports indicate that between January and July of the current year, the boy accessed an overseas casino website around 7,000 times, initially wagering his allowance and later using his parents’ money without consent. His activities intensified after he saw news coverage about gambling on television, suggesting that media exposure played a role in sparking his interest in online casinos.
Use of Cryptocurrency and Insufficient Age Verification
Investigations uncovered that the minor purchased cryptocurrency worth ¥260,000 through PayPay’s platform, which enables currency-to-cryptocurrency exchanges without stringent identity verification. The funds, converted into Litecoin, were entirely lost through gambling. Police revealed that the casino site permitted the creation of an account after the boy falsely stated his age as over 18, with only superficial verification performed. An official from the Metropolitan Police Department observed that many such platforms implement merely “symbolic verification”, which creates opportunities for minors to bypass age restrictions.
Broader Ongoing Investigations
The cybercrime division of the Metropolitan Police Department is currently examining comparable incidents. Police have referred 14 additional individuals aged 13 to 21 to prosecutors for related violations. These include a 19-year-old university student from Yokohama, who was arrested for facilitating illegal cryptocurrency access for minors. In response to these developments, law enforcement officials have called on parents to be more vigilant about their children’s smartphone and financial application usage. Plans are also underway to expand awareness campaigns in schools and local communities to prevent underage gambling.
Extent of the Problem and Official Response
Gambling addiction is widely recognized as a longstanding issue in Japan. A 2017 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey indicated that 3.6 percent of Japanese adults, totaling around 3.2 million individuals, had displayed symptoms of gambling addiction during their lifetime, with pachinko and pachislot being the most cited activities. Additionally, a recent National Police Agency survey reported that 3.45 percent of residents had tried overseas online casinos, and 2.02 percent – an estimated two million people – were regular users. The average yearly wager reached ¥630,000, bringing the total amount to approximately ¥1.24 trillion (€7.6 billion).
| Survey | Percentage of Population | Estimated People | Average Annual Wager | Total Wager Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2017) | 3.6% | 3.2 million | – | – |
| National Police Agency (recent) | 3.45% (tried online casinos) 2.02% (active users) | 2 million (active users) | ¥630,000 | ¥1.24 trillion (€7.6 billion) |
Implementation of New Legal Measures
To address these issues, Japan enacted regulatory measures beginning 25 September 2025. The new legislation forbids all forms of online gambling advertisements and prevents the introduction of new online casinos. Parliament approved the legal provisions in June of this year, which became enforceable three months later. Although the law does not impose heavy penalties, gambling operators risk closure if ordered by law enforcement. Furthermore, social media companies and website administrators are required to eliminate gambling-related advertising on official instructions from authorities.
Industry and Community Initiatives
Officials emphasize the need for vigilance among parents and greater awareness in educational and community environments to protect minors from the risks associated with underage gambling.
- Author
Daniel Williams
