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Japanese lawmakers recently held a meeting to discuss the idea of legal sports betting. However, the conclusion was clear. There are no plans to relax gambling laws anytime soon. This means esports betting will also remain illegal in the country.
At present, Japan allows betting only on a few government-controlled activities. These include horse racing, boat racing, bicycle racing, and motorbike racing. All other forms of sports betting are banned under strict national laws.
According to reports, the discussion group was led by former Prime Minister Taro Aso. The group confirmed that it will not push for legal changes. Instead, the focus will be on stronger enforcement to stop illegal offshore gambling platforms that target Japanese players.
Sadayuki Sakakibara, head of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, also attended the meeting. He warned that illegal sports betting is a serious threat. He said such activities can harm public trust in sports and damage their fairness.
Illegal Betting Still Popular in Japan
Despite the strict laws, illegal gambling remains widespread. Data from the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion shows that Japanese users spent around ¥6.5 trillion last year on overseas gambling websites.
Popular events like Evo Japan attract esports bettors, while traditional sports such as baseball and football are also commonly targeted by illegal platforms.
Unlike many countries, Japan does not only punish illegal operators. Players who gamble on banned sites can also face arrest. Recently, police detained a high school student, a university student, and an unemployed man for using online casino platforms.
Several well-known public figures have also been arrested this year, including entertainers and professional athletes. This shows how serious the authorities are about enforcing the law.
Esports Industry Joins Hands With Police
To fight the rise of illegal gambling, parts of the esports industry have stepped in to support awareness campaigns. Capcom, the developer behind Street Fighter, launched an anti-gambling initiative with local police.
As part of this effort, Osaka police released a video using the character Ken Masters, who speaks out against illegal gambling apps that misuse his image.
Japanese esports team CAG Osaka also supported the campaign by appearing at public awareness events earlier this year. These efforts aim to clearly tell players that esports betting is not allowed in Japan.
No Legal Change Expected Soon
The recent lawmaker meeting made one thing clear. Japan is not planning to legalize sports or esports betting in the near future. Authorities will instead continue to tighten control and spread awareness to protect sports integrity and public safety.
For now, gambling laws in Japan remain among the strictest in the world, and that does not look likely to change anytime soon.
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