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Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) has announced its first-ever investigation into illegal offshore gambling websites. This initiative comes in response to the rapid proliferation of these sites among Japan’s youth, raising concerns about addiction and financial instability.

The NPA’s investigation aims to address the growing issue of online gambling, which has seen a significant rise in popularity, particularly among younger demographics. The agency will collaborate with relevant authorities to regulate access to these gambling sites and implement measures to combat addiction.

The investigation will focus on identifying the operators of online casinos targeting Japanese citizens. This includes pinpointing their locations, understanding the monetary transaction processes, and tracking the number of visits from Japan. The NPA plans to conduct a comprehensive survey involving over 7,000 individuals, ranging from teenagers to the elderly, to gather data on online casino usage. A detailed report is expected by the end of the year.

Despite certain forms of gambling being legal in Japan, such as horse racing and pachinko, online gambling remains illegal. This legal grey area has led to a widespread misconception that using offshore gambling sites is permissible. The NPA’s efforts aim to clarify these misconceptions and enforce the law more effectively.

The Tokyo-based Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction has highlighted the urgency of this issue. In 2023, online casinos accounted for 20.3 percent of consultations with the society, a notable increase from 16 percent in 2019. Many of these consultations involved young people struggling with gambling addiction.

Japan is not alone in its fight against illegal online gambling. Australia has also intensified its efforts to protect its citizens from the adverse effects of gambling. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been actively combating illegal gambling activities and pushing for stricter regulations to safeguard vulnerable populations.

The NPA’s investigation is a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by illegal offshore gambling. By identifying and regulating these sites, Japan hopes to mitigate the risks associated with online gambling and provide better support for those affected by addiction.

As the investigation progresses, the NPA will share its findings with other governmental bodies to develop a comprehensive strategy for tackling this issue. This collaborative approach aims to create a safer online environment and reduce the negative impact of gambling on Japanese society.

By addressing the root causes and implementing effective measures, the agency hopes to protect its citizens from the dangers of illegal gambling and promote a healthier, more secure society.

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The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) and the Spelinspektionen?have reacted to the Swedish government’s proposal to shut down Casino Cosmopol, the nation’s last state-owned casino. The state memorandum, backed by Sweden’s Conservative Coalition government, seeks to diminish state involvement in gambling operations.

BOS has expressed a mixed reaction to the government’s initiative. While the association supports the government's decision to end state-operated casinos, it advocates for legalising private land-based casinos. Currently, private land-based casinos are prohibited in Sweden, and the government’s proposes to maintain this prohibition.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, articulated the association’s position, stating, “Land-based casinos play a very small role in terms of their turnover, but they still have a function in the overall ecosystem of the gambling market. In addition, they fulfil a function for Sweden as a tourist country and to deter illegal gambling clubs. We propose that the government, at the same time as they close their own government casino, open up for private companies to offer land-based casinos in Sweden.”

BOS argues that private operators could offer a legal alternative to illegal gambling and contribute positively to the gambling market, stating: “We are convinced that private companies can operate land-based casinos in Sweden profitably, without compromising on strict regulations regarding, among other things, consumer protection and money laundering.”

The trade association concluded: “It is surprising that a government with such a strong representation of liberal values and belief of individual rights, finds it so easy to ban casinos.”

The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has also pointed out potential issues arising from the closure. Although the authority did not oppose the shutdown of Casino Cosmopol, it cautioned that closing the casino could lead to increased illegal gambling.

However, the proposal has garnered support from members of the Conservative Coalition, who question whether Svenska Spel, the state-owned gambling operator, should continue to manage a loss-making casino unit.

The charity GambleAware has published today, 21 August, its Annual Treatment and Support Survey focused on the scale of gambling harms affecting children and the enduring impact of problem gambling on former gamblers. The research, conducted by YouGov, estimates that up to 1.65 million children in Great Britain are living in households where an adult is struggling with problem gambling.

The survey, which included responses from over 18,000 participants in Great Britain reveals that children exposed to gambling in their homes are four times more likely to develop gambling problems themselves in the future. According to the survey, this comes from early exposure to gambling, coupled with the normalisation of gambling through advertising and accessibility.

Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, reacted to GambleAware’s publication:?“I welcome the increasing recognition of the harms caused by gambling as a public health issue and a serious one. GambleAware’s latest report demonstrates that there are millions who are at risk and that more needs to be done to protect them.?As Children’s Commissioner, I want to see far more attention given to the impact of gambling on children and young people.”

The survey found that 61 percent of adults in Great Britain engaged in some form of gambling in the past year, equating to approximately 31.4 million people. In the last four weeks alone, 47 percent of adults (about 24.2 million) reported participating in gambling activities. There has been a slight increase in the participation rates for certain gambling activities such as scratch cards and online football betting. This shift away from lottery-based gambling towards activities with higher problem gambling rates is judged concerning by GambleAware.

Approximately 13.1 percent of adults in Great Britain, or around 6.8 million people, were classified as experiencing some level of gambling problems. This figure is consistent with the previous year’s data. Of these, 7 percent experienced low levels of problems, 3.5 percent had moderate issues, and 2.9 percent were classified as experiencing ‘problem gambling’ with severe issues.

The survey also focused on the legacy impacts of gambling. Among those who used to gamble, about 15.3 percent had experienced gambling issues in the past, with a higher incidence of current problems among those with a history of moderate to severe gambling issues. Nearly 18 percent of former gamblers reported feeling the urge to gamble again in the past six months.

The data points to the enduring nature of gambling harms, with over half of those who previously faced moderate problems still experiencing related issues.

The cost-of-living crisis has had a complex impact on gambling behaviours. While some individuals have increased their gambling as a result of financial stress, others report a reduction in gambling activity. The crisis has heightened the financial strain for many, exacerbating the issues for those with severe gambling problems.

Despite the significant number of individuals affected by gambling harms, only 23 percent of those with gambling problems sought treatment or support in the past year. Among those classified with severe problems, this figure was higher at 65 percent. The majority of individuals who sought help did so through a combination of family support, self-exclusion, and professional counseling.

However, barriers to accessing support remain, including stigma and the overwhelming presence of gambling advertising. Many individuals feel their gambling is under control or are deterred from seeking help due to embarrassment or disbelief that their situation is problematic, states the survey.

Zo? Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, declared: “The figures published today highlight the broad impact of gambling on individuals and families. We need more investment in prevention and treatment programmes and stronger regulations to address gambling harms effectively.”

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), has formally warned the organisers of the Dutch Grand Prix and the Sauber F1 racing team to cease any promotion of the gambling company Stake during the upcoming Formula 1 event in Zandvoort, on Sunday, 25 August. The Ksa's intervention comes just days before the highly anticipated race.

Sauber, which has been competing under the "Stake F1 Team" banner in most international races, is sponsored by Stake, a global online gambling platform. However, Stake lacks the necessary license from the Ksa to operate within the Netherlands, rendering any promotion of its services illegal under Dutch law.

In the Netherlands, it is prohibited to offer, advertise, or encourage participation in gambling activities without proper authorisation from the local authorities. This includes online gambling operators and offshore platforms, who are required to implement geoblocking measures to prevent Dutch citizens from accessing their products. While Stake has reportedly employed such measures, the Ksa has noted that Dutch players are still managing to access the site and participate in its games.

Given the high-profile nature of the Dutch Grand Prix, which attracts a broad audience, including minors and young adults, the Ksa views the potential promotion of offshore gambling during the event as particularly concerning. The regulator stated in a press release that the exposure of vulnerable groups to such advertisements could have "serious consequences".

The Ksa has urged Sauber and the Dutch Grand Prix organisers to avoid any association with Stake during the event. Specifically, the Ksa has requested that Sauber refrain from using the "Stake F1 Team" name and ensure that no advertising for the gambling operator takes place during the Zandvoort race.