When it comes to addiction, most people associate it with drugs or alcohol. The use of all types of drugs is severely prohibited in Japan. Cannabis is among them as of 2024, while more and more countries are easing their laws to protect it. However, drugs are indeed rampant across Japan, and the news of arrests of celebrities for drug use occasionally recognizes that fact. As to alcohol, not just addiction but also associated problems like binge drinking to death among the youth and drunk driving causing fatal accidents have still remained for decades.
What about gambling addiction? Pachinko has been considered the most severe cause of addiction because Pachinko parlors are accessible most readily. People can find them across the nation, even in rural areas. And they are open throughout the year. Easier access to Pachinko could have led to a more significant number of people with an addiction than other types of gambling.
Race gambling addiction was not as serious as Pachinko’s in the past, but the race gambling authorities have been taking action against it for the past several years as it has become more serious. The authorities worked together to establish an association that would manage a call center to counsel addicts or to support families whose members are gambling addicts. Its statistics show an increasing number of phone calls for advice. Frequent access to online betting during the pandemic could have partly contributed to a rise in number of online betting addicts.
Plus, some racing organizers, including the Japan Racing Association(JRA, horse racing), have enforced regulations on admitting addicts to their racecourses. JRA accepts applications requesting prohibition on racecourses from addicts themselves or their family members. Once the application is approved, addicts are listed as “banned guests” and not allowed on racecourses.
Addiction to online casinos is also a serious issue these days. Betting on online casinos is illegal in Japan, even if the casinos are lawfully managed outside of Japan. Online casinos have given people a more inclusive betting environment where people can bet all day long, unlike betting on races online.
P.S. The number of Pachinko parlors in Japan has recently been falling due to a decrease in its fans. Still, you will find the parlors anywhere from just in front of the large train stations to thinly populated areas. You usually stop at convenience stores when you need to go to the bathroom while driving. But remember that most Pachinko parlors have beautiful bathrooms to attract and keep regular fans. You must be addicted to them!