08/17/2025
Have you heard about online casinos in Japan recently? There has been a lot of new news. In this article, we will explain it all clearly and in simple words, so everyone—even middle school students—can understand.
The Japanese government is planning big changes. They want to make it illegal to run or promote online casinos. This includes websites that are outside Japan but aimed at Japanese players. One important idea is to stop ads that lead people to these sites. The goal is to make it easier to block access and protect people from risky gambling ข่าว sources say this law could pass by summer 2025 .
Japan is working with other countries to block online casino sites that accept Japanese players. They have asked places like Malta, Curaçao, Canada, Costa Rica, and others to either shut down or block access to these sites. Many of these sites even offer Japanese language and yen, which makes them seem safe—but they are still illegal under Japanese law .
A government report says around 3.37 million Japanese people have used foreign online gambling sites. In just one year, these players bet more than ¥1.24 trillion (about $8.6 billion USD)! Most did not even know it was illegal.
Websites and TV shows that advertise “free casino games” are also under scrutiny. Even ads for free games can be a entrance to real gambling later. Japan’s ad regulator is now asking broadcasters and websites to stop ads that encourage casino games, even if the games are free.
Each new law and rule also asks the government to tell people that using online casinos is illegal. They plan to run public campaigns and ask phone companies and websites to remove ads quickly if asked. The goal is to help people understand the risks.
At the same time, Japan is building the first legal, land-based casino resorts, including MGM Osaka, which will open by 2030. The big difference is: these new resorts will not be online—they are real physical places.
| Topic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Online casino websites | Soon may become blocked or hard to access in Japan. |
| Ads & social media | Any promo leading to foreign casinos is now illegal. |
| Legal risk | Even if the site is overseas, using it could be a crime for Japanese players. |
| Awareness | You will see more messages telling you that online gambling is not allowed. |
| Future casinos | Physical resorts will be built, but online gambling will stay banned. |
Japan wants to let people enjoy entertainment responsibly—through land-based casinos that will open soon—and keep family and communities safe from online gambling risks.