NPA Survey Reveals Extensive Illegal Gambling Among Japan Citizens

Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) exposed the staggering scale of online gambling in the nation with results from a recent survey. The NPA commissioned a private company to conduct the endeavor as a response to mounting concerns about the rise of gambling addiction among Japanese citizens.

Despite gambling being illegal in the Southeast Asian country, the agency estimates that approximately 3.37 million Japanese residents visit online casinos. The survey, released on March 13^th, indicated that about JPY1.24 trillion (around US$8.40 billion) was placed in bets annually, bringing the average per player to JPY630,000 (US$4,230).

Alarming Statistics

Conducted from July 2024 to January 2025, the survey compiled responses from 27,000 individuals aged between 15 and 79. 3.5% of the respondents admitted to having online casino gambling experience, translating to about 3.37 million online casino users nationwide. The findings are shocking, with 75.2% of players transitioning to real money gambling after trying the free versions on their phones. 59.6% of them admitted to struggling with compulsive gambling.

“The survey highlights the prevalence of illegal gambling, and the situation is extremely serious,” stated Asahi Shimbun, an NPA official, emphasizing the gravity of the authority’s findings.

Public Ignorance

From the survey responses, 43.5% of Japan’s population remains unaware of online casinos’ legal status. The lack of knowledge has contributed to problematic practices like borrowing money from loved ones and consumer finance companies to fund the vice.

NPA expressed concerns about celebrity endorsements and promotions that fuel the false narrative of online casinos as safe gambling hubs. The authority has warned that such advertisements could lead to legal repercussions. It also calls up the government and regulatory bodies to apply strict measures to handle these concerns, citing the significant rise of gambling addiction.

Different Land-Based Laws

Online gambling is generally prohibited in Japan under the Criminal Code chapter 23, with a few exceptions like horse racing and specific motorsports. Accessing such sites and placing bets can warrant a fine of up to JPY500,000 (US$3,360).

The country has more relaxed land-based gambling laws allowing the establishment of casinos in integrated resorts (IRs)—the bidding process for three licenses to operate such properties in Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama has been open since 2018. MGM Entertainment acquired the first license, and construction of MGM Osaka is already underway.