From Total Prohibition to Limited Opening: The Historical Turn in Japan's Gambling Policy
Japan has long adhered to a strict gambling control policy, with Article 185 of the Penal Code explicitly prohibiting gambling, with only a few exceptions such as public horse racing and bicycle racing.
This situation began to loosen in the early 21st century, and the passage of the "Integrated Resort (IR) Implementation Act" in 2016 marked a historic shift in Japan's gambling policy. This act allowed for the first time the establishment of casinos within specific integrated resorts, aiming to boost the economy through a "tourism + gambling" model.
The core driving force behind the legislative reform came from triple pressures:
Economic Stagnation Anxiety: Facing the "Lost Three Decades," the Japanese government urgently needed new economic growth points, with the IR Act expected to generate an economic effect of 2 trillion yen annually;
International Competitive Pressure: The successful examples of Asian gambling hubs such as Singapore and Macau prompted Japan to reassess the value of the industry;
Olympic Legacy Utilization: After the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a large number of hotel and convention facilities faced transformation needs.
Precise Design of the Regulatory Framework: Japan's Unique Gambling Management System
The Japanese government has established what is arguably the world's most stringent regulatory system for IR development:
Three-Stage Licensing Review: Local government preliminary review, national basic plan approval, and operator qualification examination, with the Osaka Bay project taking 5 years to finally get approved;
National Protection Mechanism: Imposing a 6000 yen entry tax, setting a monthly entry limit (initially 10 times per month), and establishing a national self-exclusion registration system;
Anti-Money Laundering Red Line: Operators are required to monitor abnormal transactions in real-time, with violators facing fines of up to 1 billion yen.
This "limited opening + strong supervision" model reflects the contradictory attitude of Japanese society towards gambling. The first month's data after the opening of the Osaka IR in 2023 showed that foreign tourists contributed 87% of the gambling revenue, confirming the original intent of the policy.
Undercurrents Stirring: Social Controversies in the Advancement of the Act
Despite the government's emphasis on a "tourism-oriented" positioning, opposition has never ceased:
Addiction Prevention Dilemma: Reports from the National Center for Mental Health show that consultations on problem gambling increased by 40% after the passage of the act;
Suspicions of Political and Business Collusion: A 2022 bribery case involving legislators led to the shelving of the Nagasaki IR plan;
Local Resistance Movements: A citizen vote in Yokohama ended the IR plan with a 62% opposition rate, reflecting a split in public opinion.
Future Outlook: Policy Challenges in the Era of Digital Gambling
As online gambling technology advances, Japan faces new regulatory challenges:
Gray Area Gambling: Overseas operators provide services to Japanese users via VPN, with an estimated annual scale of 500 billion yen;
Rise of eSports Gambling: The "eSports Promotion Act" does not clearly define gambling standards, creating a legal vacuum;
Consumption Tax Reform: Whether to adjust the current 15% gambling tax rate is a matter of industry contention.
Japan's gambling industry stands at a crossroads—needing to avoid the pitfalls of rampant "money-grabbing" while seizing business opportunities in global competition. As Professor Ryuhiko Yamamoto from Waseda University Law School said, "Japan is writing a textbook on Eastern-style gambling management, and its success or failure will affect the entire Asian market landscape."
