Content Writer: Janice Chew • Thursday, 25/09/2025 - 22:25:33 - PM
Japan has introduced a revised law effective September 25, 2025, targeting the proliferation of illegal online gambling and aiming to curb gambling addiction. The new regulation bans the establishment of new online casinos and blocks the posting of online advertisements promoting such sites, including on social media. While the law does not yet impose harsh penalties for noncompliance, it empowers authorities to demand operators shut down when directed and requires tech platforms and websites to remove gambling-related content when ordered.
A key driver behind the reform is concern over Japan’s rising online gambling participation. According to the National Police Agency, about 3.37 million people in Japan have used online casino services, many of them in their 20s and 30s. The law also prohibits celebrity endorsements and affiliate marketing that could lure users to unlawful platforms, and mandates that national and local governments step up public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the risks and illegality of online gambling.
Although enforcement mechanisms are still being fleshed out, Japan is signaling a tougher posture toward cross-border gambling activity. Authorities intend to request foreign jurisdictions to block access to Japanese users and to urge internet service providers and social media operators to assist in takedowns. The broader crackdown reflects a balancing act: as Japan prepares for its first integrated casino resort (MGM Osaka, slated for 2030), it simultaneously wants to protect citizens from unregulated online gambling and the social harms it can bring.