Japanese citizens gambled JPY6.45 trillion (US$45 billion) on international sports via illegal offshore betting sites in 2024 – around five times more than the amount bet on domestic online casinos, according to information from the Council for Sports Ecosystem Promotion.
The Mainichi reports that the Council had compiled the figures from data provided by internet providers and overseas consultants. It is unclear if the amount specified refers to total turnover or revenue.
Despite Japan, like many jurisdictions, banning its citizens from gambling on offshore websites, the figures revealed that Japanese gambled around JPY1 trillion (US$6.94 billion) on domestic sports including JPY528 billion (US$3.67 billion) on professional baseball, JPY333.4 billion (US$2.31 billion) on football and JPY87 billion (US$604 million) on basketball.
The majority, however, was gambled on international sporting competitions.
The Mainichi noted that Japan has recently seen a number of instances of professional baseball players being referred to prosecutors for allegedly gambling on overseas sites, with Nippon Professional Baseball’s internal body having issued fines totaling JPY10.2 million yen (US$75,000) to 16 people from eight teams who used such services.
Authorities have nevertheless resisted the temptation to broaden the number of sports on which locals are permitted to gamble on domestically – currently restricted to horse racing, bicycle and motorcycle racing, and speedboat racing.
The Japan Racing Association generated revenue of JPY3.3 trillion (US$23 billion) in 2024 while boat racing surpassing JPY2.5 trillion (US$17.4 billion).
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