Japan’s parliament has enacted a new bill revision aimed at curbing gambling addiction by banning online casino advertisements.
In a plenary meeting on Wednesday, the parliament’s upper chamber approved the bill, with the law revisions expected to come into effect by September.
The law revisions stipulate that opening or operating online casino sites or applications in Japan is illegal, as well as banning information that could lure individuals to online casino sites.
It further urges the government and local authorities to inform the public that gambling on online casinos is illegal.
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed the precursor to these revisions with a majority vote.
This comes after a police survey released in March of this year indicated that some 3.37 million people in Japan have gambled at online casinos, spending annually about JPY1.24 trillion ($8.7 billion).
Under Japanese law, online gambling is illegal in the country even if the site or app operates legally outside of the country.
The bill’s passage also comes after the government reportedly called for eight countries and regions to block access to their licensed online casino sites for Japanese citizens.
The jurisdictions include Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan, Curacao, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.
The move also puts a damper on any speculation that Japan could open up more to online gaming, given that its first integrated resort, MGM Osaka, is set to open by 2030.
Two other potential sites had been confirmed for possible IRs, however experts opine that they are unlikely to see any IR development in the near future.
In Japan, while lotteries and betting on publicly operated races—such as horse, bicycle, boat, and motorcycle racing—are legal, the government is taking a firm stance against illegal online gambling activities and illegal betting.
