Japan Detains Duo for Operating Payments for Internet Gambling Platforms
Two people from Japan have been captured by authorities in Tokyo for allegedly aiding illegal online gambling activities over several years.
The two suspects are accused of handling financial transactions for 18 Japanese customers, serving as intermediaries who facilitated gambling payments to evade law enforcement. They reportedly established an internet payment service in 2020 and transferred money from Japan to three particular online casinos.
Despite shutting down their money service in July last year, the pair is said to have processed hundreds of millions of dollars in deposits and profited about $14 million from the casinos they were working with before ending their arrangement.
The two are being charged with transferring funds on behalf of Japanese citizens to online casino operators outside Japan. They allegedly functioned as agents, making it convenient for the individuals to place bets on their mobile devices without any direct involvement or responsibility.
Neither the names of the suspects nor the specific casinos involve have been disclosed.
Illegal Gambling Crackdown in Japan
Prosecutors have yet to communicate whether formal charges have been filed against the pair. If convicted, they could face prison terms of up to five years, as per Article 186, Section 2 of Japan's Penal Code.
This arrest is the first of its kind in Japan, targeting individuals who help others access online casinos. This clampdown is part of a broader effort to tackle illegal gambling in the country.
Some in Japan's gaming industry and the general public have pushed for legalizing online gambling. Nonetheless, the country has struggled to garner enough support for introducing land-based casinos.
The authorities have made it clear that online gambling, with limited exceptions, is prohibited in the country.
Anonymous Reporting System for Crime
From October 1, Japan's national police will expand the scope of its anonymous crime reporting system, allowing it to collect more valuable intelligence on illegal online gambling sites.
The system, launched in 2007, initially intended to gather data related to human trafficking and child prostitution. It has since expanded to cover child abuse, gang-related offenses, drug and firearm incidents, and various frauds and illegal gambling activities.
The anonymous reporting system saw a spike in reports last year, receiving more than 27,000 such reports. These reports led to 45 cases resulting in arrests. However, just 11 of those cases earned rewards, with the government providing JPY530,000 (US$3,552) to the informants.
Starting this October, the maximum amount offered as a reward for sharing information through the system will increase from JPY100,000 (US$670) to JPY1 million (US$6,702).
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Source: www.casino.org
