Japan has started actively arresting users of overseas online casinos using a crypto tracking tool. Since September, 57 have been arrested, with 10 more referred to the prosecutor on November 26.
Active Arrests of Online Casino Users
For the first time in the nation, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police's Security Division is using a crypto tracking tool to identify participants in unauthorized gambling. While regulated gambling is legal for some activities, engaging in unauthorized gambling is a punishable offense in Japan.
Case of Tokyo Firefighter
A recent case involves a 35-year-old fire department worker from Kodaira City, Tokyo. Among the ten referred to the prosecutor on November 26 are men and women aged between 20 and 60. So far, 130 such gamblers have been identified across the archipelago, and the state plans to continue the investigations.
Hacking Cases and Public Concerns
Amid economic woes, questions arise about the harsh measures against 60-year-olds trying to survive through crypto gambling. Meanwhile, the hacking attack on the Japanese exchange DMM Bitcoin in May remains unsolved, and the public demands the same tools be used to find those responsible for significant cryptocurrency thefts. Social media has seen criticism over the police's focus on gamblers rather than hackers.
The situation remains tense, and public sentiment calls for a reevaluation of enforcement priorities, considering the unresolved high-profile hacking cases.
