Japan-UK conference urges stronger youth gambling measures
An international conference on gambling addiction was held in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Sunday, drawing around 500 participants from Japan and the United Kingdom. The event, the Japan-U.K. Conference on Gambling Addiction, brought together experts, bereaved families, and advocates to examine the growing risks posed by online casinos and digital betting platforms.
According to a report by The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun, the discussions underscored the ease with which gambling can now be accessed through smartphones. Speakers stressed that this new environment requires updated approaches to prevention and support, particularly for younger people who are increasingly vulnerable to addiction.
Families and advocates call for shared responsibility
Among those attending were relatives of individuals who fell victim to gambling addiction. According to the report, their testimonies illustrated the personal and social costs of an issue that is often hidden until it becomes overwhelming. Calls were made for countermeasures to be treated not only as an individual responsibility but as a broader societal concern requiring collaboration across sectors.
The Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, a Japanese nonprofit, has consistently raised alarms about the rise of problem gambling among young people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift to remote work and greater online activity coincided with a marked increase in betting behaviour, particularly on sports and other digital platforms.
Sports gambling and international frameworks
The discussions focused on the scale of illegal betting on overseas sports by residents in Japan, estimated at around JPY6.5 trillion (€37.3 billion) annually.
Participants highlighted the role of international agreements such as the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, which seeks to prevent match-fixing and other illicit practices. While several European countries have ratified the treaty, Japan has yet to do so. Attendees urged the government to consider signing the convention and building a framework capable of addressing cross-border betting activities.
Rising addiction among younger demographics
Recent studies by the Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction show that younger demographics are increasingly affected. In 2023, 78 percent of individuals seeking help were in their 20s and 30s, compared with 64 percent in 2019. Online betting-related consultations rose sharply, accounting for over 20 percent of cases.
Motorboat and bicycle racing also contributed to the rise in gambling-related counselling. Motorboat-related consultations increased to 28 percent of cases, while bicycle race-related cases grew to 18.2 percent. These figures suggest that while online platforms are expanding rapidly, traditional forms of betting continue to exert a strong pull on young people.
Financial strain and legal risks
The average debt reported among gambling addicts in 2023 stood at JPY8.55 million (€50,174). The organisation said that nearly 30 percent of consultations involved unlawful activities such as borrowing from unlicensed lenders or theft from family members and workplaces. This overlap between gambling addiction and criminal activity has raised concerns not only about health and welfare but also about social stability.
Future regulatory challenges
Japan is set to open its first casino in Osaka in 2030, a project led by a consortium including MGM Resorts and Orix. However, advocates in the East Asian country have cautioned that without robust regulatory safeguards, the introduction of integrated resorts may fuel further increases in addiction, particularly among young and digitally connected populations.
