Japanese police have detained nine people suspected of involvement in an operation that saw JPY90 billion (US$628.5 million) deposited in accounts they allegedly managed, and a total of JPY2.6 billion in funds specifically identified as deployed for gambling by 3,600 “customers” at online casinos overseas.
The bets were allegedly made in the span of a month last year.
The news was given on Thursday by several Japanese news outlets, and comes shortly after the lower house of Japan’s parliament approved on Tuesday a bill aiming to tighten regulations against online casinos, a product segment Japan bars its citizens from accessing.
Kanagawa Prefectural Police held the nine on suspicion of “organised habitual gambling” via a “betting settlement system and other activities,” according to public broadcaster NHK and other outlets, citing police information.
Investigations so far indicated circa JPY90 billion had been deposited into accounts managed by the group over a 12-month period up to July last year.
Among the nine people detained were Yoshinori Kurata, aged 42, described as a company executive in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, and Hideaki Yoshihara, aged 44, an office worker in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo.
Of the nine, Mr Kurata and two others have already been formally arrested and indicted on charges of money laundering involving more than JPY4.2 billion, including bets linked to online casinos.
The reports said that investigations indicated the suspects – including Mr Kurata and the others – had operated a payment system that exchanged cash for points that could be used at casinos for gambling, and that the system had encouraged its “customers” to gamble.
The police have not revealed whether the nine have admitted to the charges, stated the reports.
