Although online casinos are illegal in Japan, they can in fact be accessed from within the country. The investigation uncovered the fact that U.S. listed company Bally's Corporation had owned Vera&John Casino.
This investigation examined the reality of online casinos, the legal status of gambling in Japan, and examples of corporate involvement in the industry in Japan. The investigation indicated that a U.S. listed company had been involved in operating one online casino.
The interview featured a 29-year-old man, using a pseudonym, who became addicted to online casinos. He explained that he initially started casually, but eventually ran out of savings and accumulated nearly ¥20 million in debt. He faced difficulties raising funds, including using his company name, and also lost his job.
The reality of online casinos included the display of bets on sites in the United Kingdom, live-streamed betting formats, and the existence of foreign licenses. It was pointed out that such activity is considered illegal in Japan. The report also referred to a November 2024 case in which the Metropolitan Police Department referred Japanese customers to prosecutors.
In October 2021, U.S. listed company Bally's Corporation acquired Vera&John Casino, which had operated an online casino business targeting Japan. In October 2024, it decided to withdraw from its Asia business, indicating a policy of effectively withdrawing from its Japan-facing business.