Approximately 3.37 million persons in Japan have engaged in internet gambling, according to a recent poll conducted by the National Police Agency. The Asahi Shimbun claimed that the survey, which was apparently the first conducted in Japan, indicated that each year, gamblers at online casinos wager approximately JPY1.24 trillion (US$8.39 billion).
Approximately 27,000 people between the ages of 15 and 79 were interviewed for the survey, which took place between July 2024 and January 2025. 7,000 responses—500 of whom had previously placed bets at online casinos—formed the basis of the final analysis. According to the findings, millions of people nationwide—or 3.5% of all respondents—had gambled online.
Concerns Over Addiction and Legal Awareness
Gambling addiction was one of the study’s main concerns. 59.6% of people who had played online casino games acknowledged having problems connected to addiction. Furthermore, 75.2% of gamers who started out playing free versions of online casino games later switched to spending real money.
Unbelievably, 43.5% of respondents did not know that online casinos—even those that are regulated—are prohibited in Japan. According to the National Police Agency, the poll results highlight the extent of unlawful gambling in the nation, underscoring the gravity of the problem. According to a police official, the situation is “extremely serious.”
While online casinos remain illegal in Japan, the country has taken steps to introduce legal, land-based casino gaming. In an effort to develop integrated resorts (IR), Japan launched an initial round of licensing for up to three casino resorts. So far, only one project has received approval—MGM Osaka.
Set to open in 2030, MGM Osaka will be located on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. The resort is expected to serve as Japan’s first major step into the legal gambling industry, offering a regulated alternative to the rising trend of online betting.
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