Japan’s Lower House Passes Bill Tightening Ban on Online Casinos
The law prohibits the creation and operation of online casinos, criminalizes advertising and promotion of such sites on social media, and requires platforms to remove related content.
📜 Key Provisions of the New Bill
The Lower House of Japan’s parliament (House of Representatives) has passed a bill banning the opening and operation of online casinos in the country.
The bill was supported by members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. It is aimed at combating gambling addiction and strengthening control over online gambling.
⚖️ Penalties for Violations
Violators face the following penalties:
- Fines of up to $3,500;
- Up to three years in prison for repeat offenses.
💬 Promotion on Social Media
The law also prohibits the promotion of online casinos through social media. This includes both direct advertisements and indirect involvement of users in gambling.
The ban includes:
- Advertising of online casinos;
- Posting links and materials that lead to casino websites;
- Attempts to engage users through messengers and social platforms.
📲 Responsibilities of Platforms and Social Networks
According to the bill, social media operators are required to remove any content related to online casinos.
Thus, responsibility lies not only with the authors but also with the platforms that host the prohibited content. The law encourages proactive removal of such posts.
🔍 Purpose of the Initiative
The purpose of the initiative is to:
- Limit Japanese citizens’ access to online gambling;
- Reduce the risk of developing gambling addiction;
- Eliminate an information environment that promotes online gambling.
🗓️ Next Steps
The bill now moves to the Upper House of Parliament (House of Councillors). It is expected to be approved before the end of the current parliamentary session — by June 22.
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Passage in Lower House | ✅ Completed |
| Discussion in Upper House | 🔄 In Progress |
| Final Approval | 🕒 By June 22 |
📌 Conclusion
The measures are aimed at strengthening control over online gambling and protecting users from risks associated with online casinos.
If approved by the Upper House, Japan will introduce one of the strictest online gambling bans in the region.