TOKYO, WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s prominent role in the global online gambling industry has drawn international attention once again, this time from Japan, where authorities are moving to tighten restrictions on illegal gambling by blocking access to foreign-licensed online casinos.
According to Japanese government sources, Curaçao is one of eight jurisdictions that have been asked to block Japanese residents from accessing licensed online gambling platforms. The request is part of a broader crackdown following revelations that millions of Japanese citizens — including professional athletes and celebrities — are gambling illegally on overseas platforms.
Curaçao is home to many licensed online casino operators. An analysis of 40 gambling sites accessible in Japanese revealed that approximately 70 percent are registered in Curaçao. This makes the island a key player in the global digital gambling ecosystem — and now, a focus of Japanese regulatory scrutiny.
Billions at Stake
Japanese police estimate that more than 3 million people in the country participate in online gambling, spending an estimated ¥1.24 trillion (USD $8.6 billion) annually. Although the gambling websites are legal in their host jurisdictions, they are prohibited under Japanese law.
The Japanese government is preparing to enact a new law that would ban websites from redirecting traffic to online casinos, further reinforcing its stance. Once the law passes, Japanese authorities plan to renew their request to Curaçao and the other jurisdictions to help curb access.
Legal Gray Area
For Curaçao, the issue highlights the complexities of international online gambling regulation. While local licenses allow operators to legally offer services globally, many of the markets they reach — such as Japan — prohibit such activity domestically. This regulatory mismatch makes it challenging to enforce laws across borders.
Because the operators are based offshore and licensed in places like Curaçao, Japanese authorities have shifted their crackdown to payment processors and social media promoters, who often advertise gambling platforms in exchange for commissions or prizes.
Implications for Curaçao
Curaçao has long benefited economically from its online gaming sector, which provides both revenue and employment opportunities. However, the island has also faced growing calls for tighter regulation and oversight, both from international watchdogs and reform-minded local leaders.
This recent development with Japan may increase pressure on Curaçao to modernize its licensing regime, enhance due diligence, and strengthen cross-border cooperation. The Japanese government’s formal engagement could signal the start of broader international efforts to rein in the largely unregulated global online gambling space.
As Curaçao looks to overhaul its own gambling legislation under supervision from the Netherlands and international financial bodies, this case serves as a timely reminder: the future of online gaming regulation is no longer just local—it’s global.
