29-05-2025
Japan police arrest online casino influencer for illegal gambling
Tokyo police have arrested a company worker on suspicion of online casino gambling, which is illegal in Japan. The suspect is also believed to have been a casino affiliate, earning money for promoting a casino site on social media.
Police arrested 38-year-old Chomabayashi Makoto, a company worker in Fukushima Prefecture, for allegedly betting 92 million yen, or about 630 thousand dollars, with an online casino from 2022 through this year.
The suspect had a social media account under the name "Meikyoshisui" where he posted images of himself winning bets.
He allegedly received around 48,000 dollars from the online casino in an arrangement that entitled him to 2 percent of the money wagered by people who had found out about the site through his social media.
Police believe the suspect bet a total of 28 billion yen, or about 192 million dollars, which would be the largest amount wagered by an individual in a gambling case handled by Japanese police. Police believe he lost over 270 thousand dollars.
Police say the suspect has admitted to the allegation. They say the suspect said he knew what he was doing was illegal but believed he wouldn't get caught. Police say the suspect also told them that when he won money he posted about it on social media.
