A new law aimed at countering gambling addiction in Japan is being enforced from September 25th, including banning posting of online advertisements and launching new online casinos.
The regulations were passed back in June and include the restriction on new online casinos – despite the new provisions not providing strong penalties for failure to comply. However, the expectation is that online operators will forced to be more compliant in shutting down operations when requested by police.
This also extends to advertisements around gambling on social media, prompting operators and website administrators to remove such content when instructed by authorities.
Such advertisements have been found through YouTube videos or even adverts displayed upon opening of bank accounts or installation of apps.
Critics of gambling in Japan highlighted a recent survey by Japan’s National Police Agency, which cited some 3.37 million individuals in Japan engaged in online gambling, the majority of which were under the age of 40.
It also aims to tackle any celebrity endorsement of gambling activities and requires local and national government bodies to increase awareness around illegal online gambling.
Up to $8.4 billion is estimated to be wagered in Japan every year, and while the country does have legalized gambling options – such as horse racing, sports betting, and pachinko – and soon, the opening of Japan’s first integrated resort MGM Osaka in 2030 – the country aims to damper its population’s engagement with the activity.
