Japanese authorities crack down on $629 million online gambling network
Japanese police have detained nine individuals suspected of running a large-scale operation that handled over JPY 90 billion (approx. US$628.5 million) in deposits. Of this amount, JPY 2.6 billion ($18.03 million) was used for online gambling by around 3,600 customers within just one month. According to local media reports, the operation was uncovered following a joint investigation led by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. The alleged crimes span a period of 12 months, up to July of last year.
Background of the case
The spotlight has fallen on Yoshinori Kurata, a 42-year-old company executive from Chuo Ward in Tokyo, and Hideaki Yoshihara, a 44-year-old office worker from Bunkyo Ward, along with seven others. At least three individuals, including Kurata, have been formally indicted on charges of money laundering and illegal gambling activities.
Authorities believe the group managed a cash-for-points exchange system, where customers deposited money that was converted into “points” for betting on online overseas 바카라s. This illegal operation, similar to using tokens at an arcade, generated millions of dollars. The group allegedly encouraged gambling through targeted promotions or platforms that made betting seem more accessible and secure.
Police investigation
The Kanagawa Prefectural Police, with the help of cybercrime units, used surveillance, wiretaps, and banking audits to track down the group. They seized evidence, including laptops, phones, banking transaction records, and access logs to the 바카라 platform, which helped connect customer activity to the accused operators.
Three of the nine individuals have been indicted for money laundering involving over JPY 4.2 billion ($29.12 million). The others are being held on suspicion of organised habitual gambling and related offences, with more indictments potentially forthcoming.
The scale of the operation
The scale of this operation is significant, with JPY 90 billion ($628.5 million) flowing through the networkenough to fund several small cities. In a single month, JPY 2.6 billion ($18.03 million) was wagered online, demonstrating a very effective and well-run company.
According to reports, the group made use of an advanced digital infrastructure to manage high transaction volumes, possibly involving cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain wallets, or anonymous payments. They likely had automated payment gateways and AI-driven monitoring systems to track customer behaviour, though details haven’t been officially confirmed.
The legal landscape
Online 바카라s are illegal for Japanese citizens, with only a few legal gambling options like pachinko, horse racing, and lotteries. The suspects are accused of “organised habitual gambling,” a serious offence that could lead to years in prison, hefty fines, and lifetime bans from the financial sector if convicted.
The arrests came just two days after Japan’s lower house passed a bill tightening regulations on online gambling. The new law intends to strengthen data exchange between enforcement agencies, penalise intermediaries in gaming activities, and regulate digital payment providers more closely. Legislators may have taken this case as the last straw to enact these more stringent rules.
A National Police Agency survey released in March revealed that approximately 3.37 million people in Japan accessed online 바카라s, with total annual wagers reaching around JPY 1.2 trillion (USD 8.4 billion). Japan’s first land-based integrated resort (IR) with a 바카라, MGM Osaka, is set to open in late 2030.
