First, let’s introduce the following article:
Police Investigate Overseas Online Casinos Targeting Japanese Users
The National Police Agency is conducting its first investigation into overseas online casino sites targeting Japanese users. The rapid spread among young people, coupled with cases where individuals have fallen into debt and become involved in “black-market part-time jobs” like special fraud, has highlighted the need to understand the situation. The agency aims to share the findings with relevant ministries to consider measures such as regulating access to illegal sites and addressing addiction.
A Confused Logic Combining Two Separate Issues
The article equates online casinos with black-market part-time jobs, concluding that online casinos are inherently bad. This method is a common tactic in Japanese media, but it makes one question the intelligence of the article’s author. If there were statistics showing that all individuals involved in black-market jobs had experience with online casinos, the argument might make sense. However, there is no evidence to support such a connection. It’s a flawed logic.
A Step Backward in Evolution
When smartphones first became popular, there were articles with headlines like “Smartphone Crimes Are Increasing; Smartphones Are Dangerous Devices.” The underlying suggestion seemed to be that eliminating smartphones would reduce crime, but that’s absurd.
As a child, I had a teacher who seriously claimed that if cars disappeared, traffic accidents would too. But what about ambulances? And while it’s true that knife-related murders would decrease if knives were banned, wouldn’t people just find other ways to commit murder?
If online casinos disappeared, would black-market jobs vanish as well? Of course not.
Regarding Public Gambling
In Japan, any form of gambling other than public gambling, such as horse racing, is prohibited. Connecting to an overseas site from Japan to place bets is illegal. However, there’s a widespread misconception that “since it’s legally operated overseas, it’s not illegal.”
Does someone addicted to public gambling refrain from getting involved in black-market jobs? Why is it that only online casinos are seen as breeding grounds for criminal activity? Whether it’s public or online, there are people who develop gambling addictions.
According to the non-profit organization “Society for Considering Gambling Addiction Issues” (Tokyo), the percentage of consultations related to online casinos has increased from 4.3% in 2019 to 20.3% in 2023. Many young people in their 20s and 30s, who have fallen into large debts due to their addiction, are increasingly getting involved in black-market jobs like acting as couriers for special fraud or selling their bank accounts.
The article seems eager to portray online casinos as a breeding ground for special fraud, but what about public gambling? Incidentally, this “Society for Considering Gambling Addiction Issues” advocates for proactive legislation to specifically crack down on online casinos. However, wouldn’t it make more sense to address all forms of gambling to truly solve the problem? Personally, I believe online casinos should be legalized, and I think doing so would actually reduce gambling addiction.
Gambling Will Never Disappear from This World
Looking back at human history, gambling will never disappear. Therefore, I believe we should push forward with legal reforms to transform the industry into one that emphasizes sustainability and prevents addiction. If online casinos are completely outlawed, underground casinos will thrive, merely becoming a funding source for organized crime. Anyone can see this outcome if they think about it for a moment. Look at how the crackdown on adult videos has pushed the industry underground, and you’ll see what I mean.
The Correlation Between Online Casinos and Black-Market Jobs
It may seem contradictory, but I do believe there’s a higher likelihood that online casino users will be involved in black-market jobs or special fraud. These individuals might be driven by a desire for money, leading them to engage in both online gambling and black-market activities. However, this doesn’t mean that online casinos can be blamed for causing black-market jobs. Why does the mainstream media produce such confusing articles? If someone is being forced to write such flawed articles, it would at least make sense.
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