In a landmark enforcement action, Japanese authorities have arrested a 38-year-old man in what is believed to be the country’s largest individual online gambling case to date. The suspect is identified as Makoto Chomabayashi from Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, accused of placing illegal bets worth tens of billions of yen on an overseas casino platform. 

This arrest highlights the growing concerns over unregulated online gambling activities in Japan and has prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement and regulation. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Chomabayashi wagered approximately 90 million yen primarily on the global platform Stake. These bets were allegedly placed between August 2022 and April 2024. 

Admission of Guilt and Public Perception

Chomabayashi has admitted to the charges, stating that he was aware online gambling is illegal in Japan. However, he believed that the scale of user participation would shield him from scrutiny. “News reports said there were hundreds of thousands of players in Japan, so I thought I was only the tip of the iceberg,” he told authorities. 

Despite the staggering amount wagered, Chomabayashi is believed to have ultimately lost around 40 million yen. The case has drawn attention not only due to the monetary scale but also because it exposes how widespread and normalized online gambling has become among segments of the population. 

Affiliate Marketing and Social Media Promotion

Further investigations revealed that Chomabayashi was also a promoter for the illegal platform. He allegedly worked as an affiliate marketer, using social media to attract new users. Operating under the alias “Meikyo Shisui” on X, he frequently posted images of gambling wins. Authorities believe he referred over 100 individuals to the casino platform and earned commissions amounting to 7 million yen since April 2023. Chomabayashi reportedly admitted he was driven by a desire for recognition and personal validation. “Praise for my big scores made me feel like someone important,” he said.

Government Crackdown on Online Gambling

The case comes amid rising concern over the scale of illegal online gambling in Japan. A recent survey by the National Police Agency estimates that about 3.37 million people in Japan have participated in online gambling, with total wagers reaching 1.24 trillion yen annually. Alarmingly, 40 percent of users were unaware that such activities are prohibited under Japanese law. In response, the government has begun tightening its policies against illegal gambling. New regulations are being introduced specifically targeting affiliate marketers and third-party payment processors facilitating access to these platforms. Authorities aim to curb the rapid growth of illicit online gambling in the country with stronger enforcement.