Recently, the Tokyo police conducted a raid in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, successfully dismantling an underground gambling den "RIZIN" suspected of providing illegal online gambling services, and arrested 12 related individuals. Those detained include 5 clerks and 7 customers present, ranging in age from their 20s to over 80.
The police investigation revealed that the shop was equipped with at least 20 computers, which customers used to access foreign gambling websites for gambling activities. Additionally, the police seized over 5000 pieces of potential customer information, initially suspecting the existence of multiple similar illegal establishments nationwide in Japan.
All arrested individuals admitted to allowing customers to participate in overseas online gambling through in-store equipment. Japanese law explicitly prohibits any form of online gambling, regardless of whether the operator is located domestically or abroad. The police stated that this operation is just the beginning of the crackdown on illegal gambling, with ongoing investigations and potentially more law enforcement actions to come.
Furthermore, the Japanese Casino Regulatory Commission recently announced the appointment of Tetsuya Nakamura as the new Secretary-General, replacing Tomoyuki Iwashita, demonstrating the authorities' determination to strengthen regulation and combat illegal gambling. Previously, the police had also investigated and enforced laws against individuals using devices for online gambling and providing payment facilities for unlicensed gambling operators.
This operation highlights Japan's trend of intensifying efforts to combat overseas gambling and related illegal activities, aiming to maintain order in the domestic gambling market and protect public interests.
