According to the Tokyo Gambling Addiction Concern Association, cases of gambling addiction related to online casinos in Japan have significantly increased, with consultation requests rising elevenfold over the past five years.
Data from January to November 2024 shows that there were 91 cases of family members gambling in online casinos, compared to only 8 cases before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. The convenience of gambling 24/7 via smartphones is considered a key factor in this growth.
Another trend is linking gambling addiction to criminal activities. A survey of 681 members of the association found that 30% of people reported that family members with a gambling addiction had engaged in criminal acts (including embezzlement and theft) or worked illegally through side jobs.
The association recorded a case: a high school student started with pachinko and eventually developed a gambling addiction, later extorting about 10 million yen (64,000 USD) from his mother, and was arrested for robbery.
It is important to note that while Japan allows certain forms of gambling, online gambling remains illegal, even if the operator/service provider is legally operating overseas. There is a common misconception that gambling sites legally operating outside of Japan are also legal in Japan.
The president of the association, Noriko Tanaka, expressed concern about the link between gambling addiction and criminal behavior, stating, "Many people are currently addicted to gambling and committing crimes, and I feel a sense of crisis about this situation."
The association warns that severe stages of gambling addiction can impair judgment and self-control, leading to criminal behavior and causing harm to both the gambler and their family.
Therefore, the association urges law enforcement to intensify efforts against payment service operators related to illegal online gambling activities.
Related news: The National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) initiated its first investigation into illegal offshore gambling sites in August last year.
