Record High Arrests in Japan as Online Gambling Crackdown Intensifies

TOKYO — Enforcement actions against illegal online gambling in Japan have hit a new peak, with the National Police Agency (NPA) reporting that 317 individuals were arrested or faced enforcement actions in 2025. According to data released on Thursday, this marks the highest number of such cases recorded since 2018.

The annual total represents an increase of 38 individuals compared to the previous year. Authorities note that this upward trend is primarily driven by a growing number of individuals independently accessing and placing bets on offshore online casino websites.

While online gambling is legal and regulated in various jurisdictions around the world, it remains strictly prohibited in Japan. Under the Japanese Penal Code, placing wagers through foreign-operated online casinos from within Japan’s borders constitutes a criminal gambling offense.

Despite increasing public awareness of the law, authorities believe more robust actions are necessary. “Although more people recognize it as illegal, enough measures have yet to be taken,” an NPA official stated. “We’ll continue working to create an environment in which people are not allowed to use or simply cannot use online casinos.”

The vast majority of these illicit gambling platforms operate entirely without physical betting locations. Instead, they rely heavily on digital access, making them dangerously convenient for users to reach directly from their smartphones. As the numbers climb, Japanese law enforcement has signaled its commitment to curbing digital betting operations and preventing further proliferation of online casinos within the country.