Overview

• The National Police Agency has reclassified Japanese-facing promotional posts for online casinos as illegal information, paving the way for deletion requests to social media platforms and site administrators.
• The Internet Hotline Center’s deletion guidelines have been updated to include casino advertisements and inducements, and they are open for public comment through July 31.
• Formal removal requests will begin on September 25, targeting both domestic platforms and overseas operators hosting Japan‐facing casino sites.
• This action follows the amended Basic Law on Measures Against Gambling Dependence, which now subjects online casino operations and related advertisements to clear legal restrictions.
• An NPA survey estimated that 3.37 million Japanese have used online casinos, wagering about ¥1.2 trillion annually with over 70 percent of site visitors betting real money.