As part of a broader initiative targeting illegal gambling, authorities in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture have referred a group of ten individuals to prosecutors on charges related to online casino activities. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has revealed that these suspects engaged in gambling involving various games such as slot machines and roulette across platforms like Bitcasino, Sportsbet.io, and Vera & John between April 29, 2023, and September 19 of this year.

The individuals involved, who range in age from their 20s to 60s and include homemakers, company employees, and public servants, reportedly used cryptocurrencies to place their bets. All suspects have admitted to the allegations put forth by the police. The police also mentioned that they have identified an additional 130 individuals suspected of gambling online, planning coordinated actions with relevant local police.

Online casino gambling is against the law in Japan, regardless of whether the betting sites are based overseas. Despite this, advertisements for these casinos proliferate on platforms like social media X, where customers can start gambling with minimal information and access thousands of games.

Data from the National Police Agency indicates that over the past five years, a total of 566 individuals have been apprehended or referred for prosecution in relation to online casinos across 73 cases. This includes both gamblers and those operating the betting sites. The latest operation is notable as it marks a simultaneous crackdown on gamblers in multiple locations.

Additionally, a survey released by the welfare ministry in August indicated a link between the COVID-19 pandemic and increased online gambling habits. Nearly 20 percent of suspected gambling addicts reported increased online gambling frequency or starting gambling online during the pandemic times, highlighting the growing problem associated with online casinos.