Japan asks other countries to block casino access
The Japanese government has asked eight other countries and territories to take steps to prevent Japanese residents from accessing online casino sites.
A government source confirmed that negotiations have begun between Canada, Costa Rica, Malta, and Georgia, as well as three territories: Anjouan Island in the Comoros, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.
According to Japanese authorities, many operators in the named countries provide Japanese-language versions of their platforms.
Gambling on overseas websites is a crime in Japan. Still, the authorities have been under extra pressure to crack down on illegal gambling after a National Police Agency survey also found that an estimated 3.7 million Japanese residents have gambled online.
An analysis of 40 online casinos available in Japanese found that all of the operators were licensed, and around 70% of them were registered in Curacao.
Only two of the sites stated that Japanese residents were not permitted to access them, and six of the sites received all of their traffic from Japan.
As the sites operate under foreign licenses, the Japanese government has limited power to act against the operators, but it has been targeting payment agents and affiliates that facilitate and promote the sites.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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