The country will have its first land-based casino in a few years and wants to block iGaming
Japan is moving forward with major legislative changes aimed at curbing gambling addiction and reshaping its approach to casino gaming. The country’s House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would prohibit both the operation and promotion of online casinos. The proposal is now under review in the House of Councillors and is expected to become law during the current parliamentary session.
The measure seeks to strengthen the Basic Law for Countermeasures against Gambling Addiction. If enacted, it would require national and local authorities to actively publicize the illegality of online gambling operations. While physical casino resorts are still in the pipeline, online gambling remains a legal gray area, with the new law aiming to tighten restrictions on digital betting.
This legislative push comes at a time when Japan is preparing for the development of its first integrated casino resorts. These facilities are part of a broader economic strategy to boost tourism and local development, particularly in regions like Osaka, which is slated to host the country’s first casino resort within the next few years.
However, the rapid growth of offshore and illegal online betting has raised concerns. According to the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion (C-SEP), around JPY6.45 trillion (US$45 billion) was wagered on offshore sports betting platforms in 2024. Of that, about JPY1 trillion (US$6.94 billion) was spent on domestic sports such as baseball, soccer, and basketball.
The National Police Agency estimates that over 3.3 million people in Japan gamble online annually, spending more than JPY1.24 trillion (US$8.4 billion). In response, sports leagues are also taking action. Nippon Professional Baseball fined 16 individuals from eight teams a total of JPY10.2 million (US$75,000) for gambling violations.
With both regulatory and cultural pressures mounting, Japan is setting a clear direction as it attempts to balance gambling reform with the launch of a new casino industry.
