Japan to Ban Online Casino Promotion
Starting September 25, Japan will prohibit the promotion of online casinos, and such actions will be treated as violations of the law subject to removal. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has updated its social media guidelines with concrete examples of violations.
New Gambling Addiction Law
In September 2025, the “Revised Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures” will take effect. It bans not only the operation of online casino sites but also any activities related to their promotion or redirecting users to them.
The law was passed during the most recent parliamentary session as part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling businesses.
Updated Guidelines
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) released updated “Guidelines on the Dissemination of Illegal Information.” These rules target social media platforms and online services, requiring operators to remove content that violates the law.
Examples of Prohibited Actions
- Using real casino names with calls to action such as “Let’s play,” “Start now,” or “Gaming experience”
- Placing links to paid versions of casinos within free apps or demo websites
- Directly redirecting users to gambling-related websites
Responsibilities for Social Media and Platforms
The Ministry requires social networks and online platforms to:
- Remove prohibited content based on the updated rules
- Respond quickly to user complaints
- Prevent repeated sharing of links to online casinos
Comparison of Key Provisions
| Before the Revision | After the Revision (from September 25) |
|---|---|
| General recommendations on removing illegal content. | Specific examples of prohibited wording and links. |
| No explicit mention of casinos. | Direct ban on promotion and redirection (誘導). |
| Responsibility mainly on website operators. | New obligations added for social media and online platforms. |
Conclusion
From September 25, 2025, Japan will impose a strict ban on the promotion of online casinos. Not only site operators but also social networks will be required to remove such content. Violating these new rules could result in criminal charges.