Authorities arrest 12 for enabling access to offshore online casinos amid growing scrutiny of digital gambling in Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 individuals linked to a shop in Shinjuku Ward’s Kabukicho district that allegedly facilitated access to foreign-based casino platforms. The raid, which occurred earlier this month, underscores Japan’s stringent stance on online gambling and growing concerns over underground networks enabling such activity.
High-Tech Gambling Front Uncovered
The shop, operating under the name RIZIN, reportedly functioned as a disguised access point to international online casinos. Police seized 20 computer terminals believed to have been used by customers to log into offshore casino websites, which are illegal under Japanese law. Among those arrested were five employees and seven customers, aged from their 20s to their 80s.
Authorities stated that over 5,000 records of potential customers were discovered at the premises, indicating an extensive client database and suggesting that the establishment had been operating for some time. Employees are said to have confessed to enabling customer access to online casino games via in-store systems.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Japan’s gambling legislation is among the most restrictive in developed nations. Except for strictly regulated forms such as pachinko, horse racing, and government-run lotteries, online gambling—especially on offshore sites—is categorically prohibited. Even accessing such platforms from personal devices is punishable under current laws.
This crackdown comes as Tetsuya Nakamura assumes his new role as Secretary-General of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, replacing Tomoyuki Iwashita. His appointment signals potential regulatory shifts, particularly as Japan prepares for the launch of its first integrated resorts in the coming years.
A Broader Underground Trend?
The raid on RIZIN may only scratch the surface. Tokyo police suspect similar operations are active across Japan, especially in urban nightlife areas like Osaka’s Dotonbori and Nagoya’s Sakae district. Law enforcement officials believe that such venues exploit regulatory grey areas and cater to a growing number of users seeking access to offshore gambling content.
Moreover, this operation follows previous investigations into payment processors suspected of facilitating financial transactions between Japanese users and unauthorized gambling operators, a key logistical enabler in the digital black-market gambling ecosystem.
Outlook and Enforcement Momentum
The arrests highlight Japan’s evolving focus on cyber-enabled gambling offences. While efforts are underway to develop domestic integrated casino resorts under the IR model, authorities remain firm in their opposition to unregulated gambling—particularly when linked to foreign entities and financial crime risks.
Investigations into the RIZIN case are ongoing, and further arrests or related raids are anticipated. As police uncover more about the shop’s operations and customer network, the case could serve as a catalyst for broader legislative or technological enforcement measures, including stricter oversight of internet café-style businesses and enhanced monitoring of financial flows tied to gambling.
Conclusion
The Kabukicho raid is not just a targeted enforcement action—it reflects a wider campaign to uphold Japan’s regulatory framework amid digital disruption and international gambling temptations. With over 5,000 potential customers identified and evidence of organized facilitation, the case signals that Japan’s regulators and law enforcement are intensifying efforts to clamp down on illegal online gambling infrastructure nationwide.
