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Japan has moved a step closer to introducing website blocking measures targeting illegal online casinos after an expert panel at the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry broadly approved a draft framework outlining how such restrictions could be implemented.
The draft report does not formally recommend introducing blocking but sets out the legal and operational conditions required if the government decides to proceed. Authorities are expected to evaluate the effectiveness of existing countermeasures before making a final decision.
Under the proposed approach, internet service providers would restrict access to designated illegal domains. The measure is currently used in Japan only to combat child exploitation websites, making any extension to online gambling a significant policy shift.
The proposal has raised concerns about potential infringement of the secrecy of communications, a right protected under Japanese law. Implementing blocking would require telecommunications companies to check the destinations of user communications, prompting questions over privacy and proportionality.
The panel indicated that blocking could help reduce access to illegal gambling sites, particularly among younger users, but it should be considered a last-resort option. It recommended exhausting less intrusive measures first, including removing social media posts that direct users to casino sites and working with foreign jurisdictions to limit access to offshore operators.
The government has already introduced a range of such measures, and the draft report said “a certain degree of effectiveness” has been observed. However, challenges remain.
According to a survey by Nomura Research Institute, the report showed no major change in users’ ability to access online casinos despite existing countermeasures, while awareness that such gambling is illegal has remained at around 60%.
“Further improvement is needed to raise awareness of illegality and related issues,” the report said.
Members of the panel expressed concern about the accessibility of illegal operators, particularly among younger people.
“These [illegal casino] organizations are truly malicious. Young people can easily fall prey to them, so I strongly hope they will be blocked,” said Noriko Tanaka, head of the Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction.
Another panel member said: “It is necessary to consider blocking websites as a measure against online casinos.”
Experts cautioned that blocking should be seen as a final step within a broader enforcement strategy.
“Blocking websites is the final button to be pressed within the overall effort to eliminate harm caused by online casinos,” said Joji Shishido, a University of Tokyo professor specialising in constitutional law. “If the measure is to be implemented, the government needs to take a much more serious approach to building the necessary system.”