Online Casinos: Blocking is an Option Should Widespread Use Continue

Editorial

15:37 JST, April 25, 2026

Illegal online casinos are causing social problems, such as leading users to develop gambling addictions. Every possible measure must be taken to stop their further spread throughout society.

An expert panel of the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, which has been considering measures to prevent the use of online casinos, has broadly approved a draft report stating that it does not rule out the implementation of “blocking,” making casino sites inaccessible.

Online casinos allow users to bet online on roulette wheels, slot machines, the outcomes of sporting events and more. Many of these sites are operated by overseas-based companies that have obtained permits from local governments.

Betting via a connection from within Japan constitutes a criminal offense related to gambling in the Penal Code.

However, since anyone with a smartphone can access these sites at any time, they are highly addictive. Recently, a junior high school student was allegedly found to have bet several million yen at an online casino. Young people are considered to be at higher risk because the brain functions that control their behavior are not yet fully developed.

In light of this situation, the draft report acknowledged that blocking would be effective in preventing use by young people.

Blocking infringes upon the constitutional right to “the secrecy of any means of communication,” which protects the content of communications from being disclosed to others. For this reason, it is currently permitted only in the case of child pornography.

The draft report noted that before implementation, it is necessary to verify whether other measures — such as police crackdowns and the deletion of online advertisements — are producing sufficient results.

Nevertheless, it is praiseworthy that the draft report acknowledged the effectiveness of blocking as a measure against casino-related issues. Some other countries have already adopted this approach.

Blocking access to these sites will not only help reduce the number of people becoming addicted, but it will also contribute to protecting the healthy development of young people and the integrity of sports.

In 2025, police nationwide cracked down on 317 people, the highest number on record. Most of the people were domestic users and settlement agents who act as intermediaries in the exchange of funds for online betting. Behind this is greater public awareness of the illegality of such activities, leading to more self-reporting and tip-offs to the police.

There has also been progress in the deletion of online advertisements and posts that direct users to online casinos. Measures to prevent young people from being drawn to illegal casinos, including through stepping up crackdowns on “affiliates” who earn commissions by promoting online casinos, are essential.

Blocking should absolutely be considered a last resort, and it goes without saying that all other options must be exhausted before taking this step. However, there should be no hesitation in implementing it when the widespread use of online casinos grows serious and the negative impact of such casinos on society can no longer be ignored.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2026)