Japan Asks Curaçao and Malta to Block Offshore Online Casinos from Japanese Players

Japanese authorities are stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal offshore gambling by asking regulators in several foreign jurisdictions to help block local players from accessing online casinos, according to The Mainichi.

Officials in Tokyo have formally reached out to counterparts in eight jurisdictions, requesting cooperation in curbing Japanese participation on foreign-licensed gambling platforms. The targeted regions include Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Curaçao (Netherlands), Anjouan (Comoros), the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar (UK), according to a source cited by the outlet.

The move reflects the difficulty Japanese regulators face when trying to prosecute offshore gambling operators, many of whom are legally licensed outside the country.

Despite offering services illegally under Japanese law, many of these online casinos operate in Japanese, making them easily accessible to local players.

An investigation by The Mainichi found that around 70% of these operators are licensed in Curaçao. However, very few platforms explicitly state that users in Japan are prohibited from gambling.

According to national police data, approximately 3.37 million Japanese citizens have used online casinos. Notably, nearly 40% of them were unaware that offshore gambling services are considered illegal in Japan.

Annual spending on online gambling in Japan is estimated to exceed $8 billion.

This appeal comes just months after the Japanese government approved a national strategy aimed at tackling illegal iGaming activity and addressing gambling addiction.