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Hyogo Prefectural Police have referred nine male officers to public prosecutors on suspicion of illegal online casino gambling, according to Japanese media reports. The alleged gambling took place outside working hours, with investigators saying the officers accessed online casino sites via their smartphones.

Disciplinary action has already been taken internally. The department imposed penalties including pay cuts and suspensions from duty lasting up to six months, underscoring the reputational damage caused when law enforcement personnel are themselves suspected of violating gambling laws.

Heavy betting, mounting debts, and a cluster at one station

Investigative sources say one officer described as a senior police officer in his 20s placed more than 3,000 bets between December 2024 and June 2025, spending about ¥5 million (roughly $32,000). The same reports say he learned about the online casino site from another officer in his 20s.

The cases also revealed a concentration within a single workplace: six of the nine officers were assigned to the same police station. Another officer was reported to have built up large debts linked to repeated gambling, highlighting concerns not only about legality but also about financial vulnerability and potential misconduct risks.

Broader scrutiny of online gambling in Japan

While some forms of wagering are permitted under special frameworks such as certain public sports betting most gambling is restricted, and online casino play tied to overseas operators has frequently been treated as illegal. The Hyogo cases add to a wider spotlight on the ease of access to online gambling platforms via mobile devices.

Hyogo police officials indicated the department would strengthen ethics education following the disciplinary actions, amid concerns about repeated violations in a short period. One of the suspected officers was quoted expressing remorse, saying he should have understood online casino gambling was a crime before taking part.

Source: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/crime-courts/20251220-299694/