TOKYO: An expert panel of Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Wednesday that blocking access to illegal online casinos could be an effective way to prevent their use, and that the measure should not be ruled out.
The panel’s report incorporated the results of a study on the possible implementation of website blocking.
At a meeting examining measures to prevent the use of illegal online casinos, the panel also reviewed public comments on a draft report released in May and June.
A total of 236 organizations, individuals and others submitted opinions, with most supporting the introduction of website blocking. Supporters said the measure would reduce opportunities for young people and others to access illegal casino sites and argued that preventing their use through other means is becoming increasingly difficult.
Some also said blocking would provide significant public benefits given the serious harm caused by illegal online gambling.
However, others argued that measures imposing fewer restrictions on individual rights should be prioritized. Website blocking would require telecommunications companies to check the destinations of communications made by all users, potentially raising constitutional concerns over the right to the “secrecy of any means of communication.”
Experts on the panel expressed differing views. Some said blocking should be considered as one possible measure, while others said it could be an option if the damage caused by illegal online casinos does not decrease.
The government is pursuing several alternative measures, including making it illegal for social media posts to direct users to casino sites and asking countries linked to overseas casino operators to deny access from Japan.
The government is expected to assess the effectiveness of these non-blocking measures as early as this autumn before making a final decision on whether to introduce website blocking.
The expert panel was established in April last year to consider measures against illegal online casino use amid growing concerns over the serious problems associated with the sites. Website blocking has been a central issue in the debate, and the latest report effectively sets out a basic framework for the conditions under which blocking could be implemented.- Japan News/ANN
