Kyoto Police Arrest Online Casino Operators

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Kyoto Prefectural Police and other authorities announced the arrest of seven individuals last month, including 36-year-old Randall Aaron Asher, an American national, for operating an illegal online casino site. It marked the first arrest of online casino site operators in Japan.

The group is suspected of running a mahjong website called Dora Mahjong targeting Japanese players.

Established around 2011, the site boasted over 70,000 members and claimed that its operation was legal due to being an overseas online gaming entity. The company allegedly collected approximately 10-15% of the customers’ profits as venue fees, amassing about ¥2.3 billion (US$15 million).

While the site argued for its legality based on its overseas status, the National Police Agency emphasized that even if online casinos are legal in their place of operation, it is illegal to connect and gamble from within Japan, and that such activities are subject to prosecution.

Authorities noted that it is challenging to prosecute overseas-based operators under Japan’s gambling laws, and despite the illegality, enforcement is difficult. But recent actions such as the Metropolitan Police Department’s crackdown on gamblers last year indicate a heightened effort to address such issues.

Asher, believed to be a key figure in the operation, and three others have admitted to the charges, while the remaining four have partially denied them. Investigations are ongoing, including into the network’s list of customers.

Recent Online Gambling Related Articles

Sega Sammy Acquires Online Casino Company

Police Move Toward Online Gambling Crackdown

Police Threaten Online Casino Crackdown

Recent Articles

Kyoto Police Arrest Online Casino Operators

Akihabara News (Tokyo) -- Kyoto Prefectural Police and other authorities announced the arrest of seven individuals last month, including 36-year-old Randall Aaron...

Japan Space Program Gets Its Groove Back

Akihabara News (Tokyo) -- After a series of embarrassing stumbles, Japan's space program is putting some wins on the board again.

Wakayama Signs Pact on Flying Cars

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Wakayama Governor Shuhei Kishimoto made it clear at a press conference on January 30 that his administration is...

Qualified Success for Japan’s Moon Landing

Akihabara News (Tokyo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) declared success in its "main mission" of conducting a Moon landing near...

Pioneering Hoverbike Firm Goes Belly Up

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Japan's most prominent hoverbike company, A.L.I. Technologies, has filed for bankruptcy. Although the firm reports that it hopes...

Related Stories