Japan’s Parliament has significantly intensified its efforts against illegal online gambling by approving a bill that explicitly bans advertising of overseas online casinos to the country’s citizens. This new legislation aims to provide a sweeping prohibition on promotional content that directs Japanese users to offshore gambling platforms.

Under the new law, a wide array of promotional activities will be prohibited, including banner ads, affiliate marketing, and posts on social media that promote or direct users to overseas online casinos. In addition to these advertising restrictions, the establishment and operation of online casinos and their related applications within Japan have also been formally outlawed.

Japanese law already dictates that it is a criminal offence for citizens to use overseas gambling sites from within the country. While the newly revised laws, which are expected to come into effect in approximately three months, do not carry specific new criminal penalties for users, they will empower internet service providers and social media platforms to more proactively target and remove promotional content for such services.

These new rules form a core part of the Japanese Government’s renewed focus on tackling gambling addiction in the country. A March 2025 survey by the National Police Agency, as reported by iGaming Times, estimated that 3.37 million people in Japan have gambled at online casinos, with around ¥1.2 trillion (approximately $8.3 billion) being spent annually.

Addressing Illegal Online Activity

In recent months, Japan has also reportedly sought cooperation from a number of foreign governments and regulatory authorities to block access to online casino websites for its citizens. Authorities in Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan Island, Curacao, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar were all reportedly contacted by Japanese officials regarding these concerns.

Most forms of online gambling remain outlawed in Japan, with regulated activity strictly restricted to government-sanctioned lotteries and betting on specific public sports, including horse racing, motorcycle racing, and power boat racing. Despite these prohibitions, it is estimated that 3.37 million people in Japan have engaged with illegal online casino gambling, with total wagers estimated to be ¥1.2 trillion annually. The National Police Agency also identified a record number of online casino users in 2024, recording 279 players and dealers across the year. Individuals identified by authorities as online casino users could face a potential fine of ¥500,000, while habitual gamblers could even face imprisonment of up to three years under existing laws.

The parliamentary approval of this sweeping ban on overseas gambling advertising signals Japan’s determined effort to curb the proliferation of illegal online gambling and protect its citizens from unlicensed operators. The new measures aim to strengthen enforcement capabilities and reduce the visibility of offshore platforms, reinforcing the government’s commitment to addressing gambling addiction and upholding its strict gambling laws.