Japan Reviews Website Blocking for Illegal Online Casinos
Japan is moving closer to introducing website blocking for illegal online casinos, although the government has not yet decided whether to adopt the measure.
An expert panel advising the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved its final report on July 22, 2026. The report says website blocking could help reduce illegal gambling but should only be considered if other enforcement measures prove ineffective.
The panel also noted that blocking casino websites raises constitutional and technical concerns. Critics argue that internet service providers may need to inspect user communications, potentially conflicting with Japan’s constitutional protections for privacy.
The report follows more than a year of discussions on ways to limit access to offshore gambling websites, which remain illegal for players located in Japan even if they are licensed abroad.
Before considering website blocking, Japan plans to strengthen other enforcement measures. These include banning social media posts that direct users to illegal gambling sites, expanding cooperation with overseas authorities and asking foreign operators to restrict access from Japan. The expert panel concluded:
Website blocking should remain a policy option if existing countermeasures fail to reduce illegal gambling.
The Japanese government is expected to evaluate the effectiveness of the new measures later this year before deciding whether website blocking should become part of the country’s enforcement strategy against illegal online gambling.
