Japan has shaken the international online gambling sector by asking eight countries and territories to restrict access to casino websites frequently used by Japanese players.
In June 2025, Tokyo submitted formal requests to Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan in the Comoros Islands, Curaçao, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar—jurisdictions renowned for online betting operations and licensing.
Authorities argue that Japan’s domestic ban on cross-border online gambling is undermined without cooperation from these offshore centers. Despite existing laws, millions of Japanese users continue to gamble abroad, with a 2024 study valuing the country’s offshore sports betting market at 6.45 trillion yen (US$45 billion). The figure highlights both the immense size of the shadow economy and the limits of domestic enforcement in an interconnected digital world.
The appeal follows new legislation passed by Japan’s Diet to tighten restrictions on illegal online betting. Lawmakers acted in the wake of scandals involving athletes and celebrities linked to gambling platforms, prompting demands for tougher oversight.
By seeking international cooperation, Japanese officials say they aim to extend enforcement “beyond borders” and curb the growing influence of offshore gambling networks.
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