According to internal police reports, six of the nine officers were assigned to the same local station, and one senior officer allegedly placed more than 3,000 bets, wagering a total of about ¥5 million (approximately USD 32,000) between late 2024 and mid-2025.
Internal Disciplinary Actions
Hyogo police authorities have already imposed disciplinary measures on the officers pending prosecution. These include suspensions, pay cuts, and other penalties for related misconduct such as drinking alcohol or playing pachinko during work hours. Supervisors of the involved officers have also faced discipline in light of the scandal.
Koichi Tsuchiyama, head of the police inspection office, said the department will increase ethics training for all personnel to prevent further violations and restore public trust.
Gambling Laws in Japan
Japan maintains some of the strictest gambling regulations in the world. Most forms of gambling are prohibited under the Criminal Code, with limited exceptions for state-sanctioned lotteries and parimutuel betting on horse racing and certain motor sports.
While pachinko — a game similar to pinball — exists in a legal grey area domestically, online casino gambling remains illegal for residents regardless of where the hosting service is based. Offenders can face fines or imprisonment under current legislation.
Broader Enforcement Efforts
The referral of police officers to prosecutors reflects a broader shift in Japan’s enforcement strategy, which increasingly targets not only operators of illegal gambling platforms but also individual players, including public figures and professionals.
This move aims to address growing concerns over illegal online gambling activity, which national police estimates suggest involves millions of residents and significant sums of money annually.