Tokyo police arrest 12 over online casino gambling at shop
NHK has learned that Japanese police arrested 12 people when raiding a shop that allegedly allowed customers to gamble on casino websites. Such wagering is illegal in Japan even on gaming sites based abroad.
Police began raiding the establishment RIZIN in the Kabukicho entertainment district of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Wednesday.
They arrested five employees in their 20s through 40s, and seven customers in their 20s through 80s who were at the shop.
Investigative sources say the employees are suspected of allowing customers to gamble on baccarat and other games on foreign-based casino websites using personal computers at the shop. They say the employees admitted to the allegation.
The sources add that the store had at least 20 PCs and that police discovered data on more than 5,000 possible customers.
Police say there are more establishments in Japan that allegedly allow customers to engage in online casino gambling.
They have so far arrested people suspected to have gambled through online casinos using their own devices. Police have also clamped down on payment agencies alleged to have provided services to operators of casino websites.
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