Nine Japanese police officers punished for illegal online gambling scandal
Nine Japanese law enforcement officers have been disciplined for illegal online gambling. Six of them worked at the same station. The case has raised concerns about ethics within the force.
The officers, including a senior officer in his 20s, placed thousands of bets on an overseas casino site. One spent around JPY 5 million (about $32,000) in just six months.
The investigation revealed that the senior officer in his 20s made over 3,000 bets between December 2021 and June 2022. He reportedly learned about the site from another officer in his 20s. Three additional officers—a senior officer in his 30s and a headquarters-based inspector in his 40s—were also implicated in the gambling irregularities.
Japan’s gambling laws are strict, with most forms banned under the Penal Code. However, exceptions exist for state-licensed betting on horse racing, bicycle races, and boat and motorbike competitions. Pachinko, a pinball-like game, remains in a legal grey area—players win tokens that can be exchanged for cash at nearby shops, often linked to the parlours. Meanwhile, integrated resort (IR) casinos, approved in 2018, are slowly expanding under tight regulations, including anti-addiction measures and taxation.
The police department took disciplinary action against the officers and their supervisors. In response to the high number of violations, officials announced plans to reinforce ethics training for all personnel.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in regulating gambling, even as Japan considers further legalisation of traditional casino games within IR zones. Illegal online betting, however, remains a persistent issue despite stricter enforcement efforts.
The officers involved now face internal penalties, while the department tightens oversight. Ethics training will be expanded to prevent similar misconduct in the future. The incident also underscores Japan’s complex balance between expanding legal gambling and cracking down on illegal activities.
