Nine Policemen in Japan Accused of Illegal Gambling Activities
Police Officers Involved in Illegal Online Gambling
The Hyogo Prefectural Police in Japan have referred nine male officers, mostly in their 20s and 30s, to prosecutors on suspicions of participating in illegal online casino gambling during their off-duty hours.
Details of the Gambling Incidents
Investigations revealed that six of these officers were stationed at the same police station. Notably, a senior officer in his 20s reportedly used his smartphone to access an online casino between December of last year and June of this year. During this period, he placed over 3,000 bets, wagering a total of approximately 5 million Japanese yen (around $32,000). This officer was introduced to the gambling site by a colleague, also in his 20s.
Among the other accused are a senior officer in his 30s assigned to the criminal investigation bureau at the police headquarters in Kobe, and an inspector in his 40s working at the headquarters.
The police department responded by disciplining the officers, including suspensions of up to six months for offenses such as drinking alcohol or playing pachinko while on duty. Supervisors responsible for overseeing these officers also faced disciplinary measures. Koichi Tsuchiyama, head of the inspection office, emphasized plans to intensify ethics training to curb such misconduct in the future.
The Legal Landscape of Gambling in Japan
In Japan, gambling is mostly prohibited under Chapter 23 of the Criminal Code, with few exceptions. Legal betting activities include horse racing, certain motor sports, public sports events, lotteries, and toto, all regulated under special laws designed to generate government revenue and provide entertainment.
Specifically, four types of racing—horse racing, bicycle racing, powerboat racing, and asphalt speedway motorcycle racing—are legally sanctioned for gambling, overseen by local governments or affiliated organizations.
Pachinko, a popular game resembling pinball and slot machines, occupies a unique position as it is not officially classified as gambling. This exemption is due to cultural, historical, and monetary reasons. In pachinko, players win extra balls through game play, which can be exchanged inside the parlor for prizes. Direct cash rewards are banned by law, but players commonly convert their winnings into special tokens that can be sold for money at nearby shops, often linked to pachinko establishments.
Prospects for Casino Gambling in Japan
Although gambling remains tightly controlled, Japan is gradually considering broader legalization for casino-style gaming. Recently, the nation’s Tourism Board announced plans to invite applications from local governments interested in establishing integrated resort areas that include casinos, signaling a potential shift towards more traditional forms of gambling entertainment in the future.
