Japan Records Its Highest Number of Online Gambling Arrests Since 2018

According to the latest statistics from Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of individuals arrested in the country for being involved in online gambling reached a record high of 317 in 2025, a number higher than that registered since 2018.

Record Enforcement

The growth was primarily attributable to the growing number of individuals using online casino websites independently. This clearly shows that there is quite a significant number of individual offenders out of all those people reported by the police as cyber gamblers in 2025.

While online gambling is legal in many other countries, it is still illegal in Japan. According to the Penal Code, placing bets by means of gambling websites abroad constitutes gambling if such activity takes place in Japan. The presented statistics show that domestic legislation has been consistently applied to cases involving accessing foreign websites.

Data provided by the National Police Agency demonstrate that the number for 2025 was the largest one since 2018. Although details about all the cases have not been provided, the growing significance of self-use of online casino websites has been noted by the source.

Enforcement Challenge

An agency official said more people now recognize that online gambling is illegal, but enough measures still have not been taken. The official said authorities will continue working to create an environment in which people are not allowed to use online casinos or simply cannot use them.

That comment reflected the broader enforcement challenge faced by police. Even as the awareness level seems to be getting better, there are still plenty of incidents that are sufficient enough to establish a new record within the reporting period.

In addition, most online casinos have no real premises where bets can be placed. Their services are typically accessed through smartphones, which makes them easy to reach and difficult to monitor in the same way as land-based gambling venues.

Access Through Phones

The use of smartphones is one of the features that defines how online casinos operate. Without a physical betting space, the services are usually available directly through mobile devices, allowing users to place bets remotely.

That access model has made online gambling a continuing concern for police in Japan. The latest enforcement data suggests that authorities are still trying to match the speed and reach of digital gambling platforms with a response that can prevent wider use.

The 317 instances reported in 2025 have also demonstrated the consistent efforts made towards enforcing online gambling regulation throughout the years. Despite being seemingly insignificant when taken individually, this is actually the highest annual figure for 7 years and demonstrates that there have been ongoing activities in this area.

Continued Scrutiny

The data released by the National Police Agency indicates that online gambling remains under close scrutiny in Japan. With the activity continuing to be handled as a criminal offense when carried out from within the country, police are keeping attention on both users and the platforms they access.

With the record figures being reported in 2025, it becomes evident just how challenging it is to stop people from gambling once they shift from using desktop computers to their mobile phones. The data also confirms that there is still a lot of work left to be done.

Source: Nippon

Japan Records Its Highest Number of Online Gambling Arrests Since 2018

Record Enforcement

Enforcement Challenge

Access Through Phones

Continued Scrutiny

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