Table of Contents
A shocking case has come out from Japan where a man placed huge online bets and promoted an offshore casino. This is said to be Japan’s biggest ever online gambling case. Police say the man gambled ¥28 billion (around €172 million) and also encouraged others to join the same platform.
Advertisement
Man Arrested for Huge Illegal Gambling
The Tokyo police arrested Makoto Chomabayashi, 38, who lives in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. He is accused of illegal gambling on the online casino Stake, where he mostly played baccarat between August 2022 and April 2024.
Police say he knew online gambling is banned in Japan but still took the risk. During questioning, he said,
“I knew it was illegal, but I thought no one would notice because so many people in Japan are doing it.”
Big Losses Despite Big Bets
Even though he placed bets worth billions, Chomabayashi reportedly lost around ¥40 million. But he wasn’t just gambling – he also worked as an affiliate, promoting the casino to others.
He used the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with the fake name Meikyo Shisui, which means “a calm and clear mind.” He posted pictures of his big wins and got over 100 users to sign up. For this, he earned about ¥7 million in commissions from April 2023.
More Than Just Money: He Wanted Attention
Police say this wasn’t only about making money. Chomabayashi admitted that he enjoyed the attention he got from showing off his big wins online. People praised him, and that made him feel special.
Why This Case Is Important
This case has raised many questions in Japan:
- How many others are doing the same thing?
- Are the laws strong enough?
- Can the government stop such illegal online platforms?
Even though online casinos like Stake are based outside Japan, promoting or using them is still illegal for Japanese residents.
Also Read: New Sri Lanka Gambling Law Aims For Clear Rules
