One American & Six Others Arrested In Japan Over Illegal Online Mahjong Gambling

Japanese authorities have arrested several individuals involved in running an illegal online mahjong gambling site. Among the arrested is an American citizen, Randall Aaron Asher, who had been residing in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. This arrest marks the first time that suspected online casino operators have been apprehended in Japan.

The alleged mastermind behind the operation, Randall Aaron Asher, along with six other individuals, reportedly earned a staggering total of approximately 2.3 billion yen (about $15.3 million) over the span of more than a decade. The online gambling site in question, known as Dora Mahjong, attracted a substantial membership base of about 74,000 users.

Operating under what the accused say is based on the Isle of Man with government permission and a casino license, the website claimed that its activities were entirely legal. To encourage gamblers, it boasted of being “the only online mahjong gambling available in Japan.”

From March to December 2023, Asher and his associates, aged between 25 and 47, allegedly collected service fees while allowing six customers to gamble on games hosted on the illicit website. Kyoto Prefectural Police, who led the investigation, obtained arrest warrants for the seven individuals involved.

While Asher and two others admitted to the charges, the remaining four defendants partially denied their involvement, claiming that they were unaware of the illegal nature of their activities. It is worth noting that in Japan, gambling outside of publicly sanctioned establishments is strictly prohibited.

Despite the illegality of their operations, the Dora Mahjong site went to great lengths to present an air of legitimacy. The website says it possess a casino license and government permission to operate on the Isle of Man, effectively bypassing Japanese gambling laws. It even asserted that “there is no illegality” in its activities.

To further promote to local gamblers, the site advertised as the sole provider of online mahjong gambling in Japan, attracting tens of thousands of members. It levied a service fee of 10-15% on all winnings.

Online casinos often present unique challenges when it comes to prosecution under Japanese law. Due to their operations being hosted on overseas servers, jurisdictional issues and the complexities of international cooperation can hinder legal action. However, in this case, Kyoto Prefectural Police determined that the seven individuals were operating from within Japan, enabling their arrests.

As the investigation into the illegal online mahjong site continues, authorities are delving into the organizational background of the operation. The goal is to uncover any potential connections, accomplices, or underlying criminal networks associated with Dora Mahjong.

Simultaneously, investigators are focusing on the website’s users, with a particular emphasis on identifying habitual gamblers and pursuing charges against them. The investigation aims to dismantle the entire web of illegal online gambling and bring all responsible parties to justice.

Japan has strict laws in place regarding gambling, with only a limited number of activities permitted in publicly sanctioned establishments. The government heavily regulates these activities to minimize the risk of gambling addiction and related societal issues.