Japanese Online Casino Cafe Raids

Published: Friday, February 24, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

JAPANESE ONLINE CASINO CAFE RAIDS

Japanese online casno players and shopkeepers held

Early reports just in indicate that Japanese police in Kyoto, Japan yesterday raided a "online casino cafe" and took two casino players and two staff members into custody. A further arrest is expected soon.

Little is known at this stage about the raids, which were reported in the local press or what charges are to be laid, and thus far the authorities have not released any information.

Sources in Japan say that this Internet kiosk equipped style of Internet casino cafes is on the increase. Most seem to use the Big Joy casino brand and gaming facilities, which is allegedly powered by the Playtech company and licensed in the Phillipines.

In a magazine article some months ago, the venue raided was featured with the comment that operations of this nature can generate up to 50 million yen in average profits every month.

Cafe staff apparently told online casino players not to worry about legality since the server was located outside Japan. Japan's Ministry of Justice commented that this was the first case of an offshore online casino gambling bust in Japan in a brief comment.

Thus far there are no indications as to whether a court case or a fine is planned, or what the charges will be.