The National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) will begin its first investigation into offshore gambling sites, which are reportedly widespread among Japanese youth.
According to Japanese news sources, the NPA plans to share the results of its investigation with relevant authorities as a first step towards regulating access to these gambling sites and developing measures to address addiction and related issues.
The NPA will investigate the activities of online casinos targeting Japanese users. The investigation will determine the locations of these operators, the processes of financial transactions, digital footprints, and the number of visits to these sites from Japan.
The agency will also conduct a survey of over 7,000 people in Japan, covering age groups from teenagers to seniors up to 70 years old. A report on the use of online casinos is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Despite certain forms of gambling being legal in Japan, online gambling remains illegal, even if operators/providers are legally operating abroad. There is a widespread misconception that gambling sites legally operating outside Japan are also legal for use within the country.
According to the Tokyo Society for Gambling Addiction, in 2023, 20.3% of all consultations with the society were related to online casinos, which is 4.3% more than in 2019, with many of those seeking help being young people.
Meanwhile, Australia has intensified its efforts to protect citizens from illegal gambling and its negative consequences. This includes active actions by the ACMA against unlawful activities and efforts by local companies to protect vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of gambling.
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