Key Facts
• June 27, Tokyo police arrested 12 individuals for illegal online gambling.
• Suspects include RIZIN casino manager Taiyo Yamaoka, 41, and 7 customers.
• RIZIN opened in October 2021, attracting 80 daily visitors via street solicitation.
• Over 5,500 customers used the casino, generating $4.5 billion in revenue.
• Some funds may have been funneled to organized crime groups.
• Arrests stemmed from June 25 activities involving gambling via overseas websites.
• Customers purchased points convertible to cash for games like baccarat and poker.
• The casino allegedly sourced points cheaply and resold them to customers.
• Investigators suspect brokers facilitated operations and are probing further.
• Discovery linked to a romance scam suspect arrested last year.
Summary
Tokyo police arrested 12 individuals, including the manager of the RIZIN online casino, for illegal gambling activities. Operating since October 2021, the casino attracted over 5,500 customers and generated $4.5 billion in revenue, with potential ties to organized crime. Customers accessed overseas gambling sites via in-store computers, purchasing points convertible to cash for games like baccarat and poker. Authorities are investigating broker involvement and uncovered the operation through a romance scam suspect arrested last year.
