Player with Record Betting Turnover Detained in Japan

38-year-old Makoto Chomabayashi from Fukushima Prefecture has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the largest individual online gambling case in Japanese history.

Charges and Betting Scale

Makoto Chomabayashi is accused of placing online bets totaling about ¥90 million ($625,000), mainly on baccarat via the international site “Stake” from August 2022 to April 2025.

Despite the official betting amount, investigators believe the total volume could reach ¥28 billion ($194 million), making this Japan’s largest individual gambling case.

According to police, Makoto lost around ¥40 million ($278,000) through his gambling activities.

Activity as an Affiliate and Influence on Social Media

Makoto Chomabayashi also acted as an affiliate for the “Stake” casino, attracting new players through the social network X under the alias “Meikyo Shisui” (translated from Chinese philosophy as “a clear and calm mind”).

• Posted screenshots of his winnings to drive traffic.
• Attracted more than 100 players to the platform.
• Earned around ¥7 million ($48,600) in commissions since April 2023.

During a search, investigators seized a notebook containing detailed “winning strategies” for online casinos.

Motivation and Confession

Chomabayashi admitted to the violations and stated he was aware of the illegality of his actions in Japan, but believed he wouldn’t be caught as he considered himself just a small part of a large audience of players.

He said he was motivated by a desire for recognition — praise for big wins boosted his self-esteem.

Japanese Legislation and Authorities’ Response

Online Gambling Statistics in Japan

• According to a survey by the National Police Agency, around 3.37 million people in Japan have engaged in online gambling.
• Total betting volume is approximately ¥1.24 trillion per year.
• About 40% of users were unaware of the illegality of their actions.