Japan Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling with Recent Arrests
Posted on: September 27, 2023, 07:39h.
Last updated on: September 27, 2023, 07:39h.
Japan is taking a firm stance against illegal gambling and recent arrests serve as a warning to others. Tokyo law enforcement has apprehended two individuals accused of facilitating illicit online gambling activities for several years.
The suspects played a role in transferring funds for Japanese nationals to online casinos located outside of Japan. They acted as intermediaries, allowing individuals to conveniently place bets using their mobile devices while avoiding direct involvement.
The arrest of these individuals marks Japan’s first instance of apprehending individuals accused of assisting in accessing online casinos. The country is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal gambling.
A Major Financial Gain
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, from July 2021 to July 2022, the pair facilitated financial transactions on behalf of 18 Japanese customers. They operated as middlemen, managing gambling payments to ensure customers stayed under the radar of law enforcement.
The suspects, who established an internet-based payment service around 2020, regularly transferred funds from Japan to three specific online casinos. The identity of these casinos and their potential legal repercussions have not been disclosed by the police.
The duo closed their money service in July of the previous year, but not before amassing a significant fortune. They handled hundreds of millions of dollars in deposits and reportedly earned approximately $14 million from the casinos.
The formal charges against the two individuals remain unknown. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison under Article 186, Section 2 of Japan’s Penal Code, although receiving the maximum sentence is unlikely.
Despite calls from some within the gaming community and local Japanese residents for the legalization of online gambling, the country faces significant challenges in gaining support for land-based casinos. Introducing further gambling regulations in the face of resistance is unlikely to occur in the near future.
A Continued Crackdown
Japan has repeatedly emphasized the illegality of online gambling to its citizens, with few exceptions. The country is now taking steps to make it easier to apprehend violators.
Starting October 1, Japan’s national police will enhance its existing anonymous crime reporting system. This upgrade will provide authorities with better intelligence on illegal online gambling sites.
As part of the national police’s efforts to combat online gambling, the maximum reward for filing an anonymous crime report is being increased. Currently set at JPY100,000 (US$670), the reward will jump to JPY1 million (US$6,702).
According to Japanese news agency Mainichi, there was a significant increase in reports received through the system last year, which has been operational since 2007. Over 27,000 reports were submitted, leading to enforcement actions and arrests in 45 cases.
Out of these cases, only 11 rewarded the tipsters, likely due to excessive anonymity hindering efforts to identify them. However, a total of JPY530,000 (US$3,552) was paid out by the government to those whose identities were known.
The reporting system initially focused on gathering data on human trafficking, child prostitution, child abuse, gang-related offenses, drug and firearm incidents, and various forms of fraud. Its scope has now expanded to include illegal gambling.