This week Japanese media reported that lawmakers in the country are considering expanding the country's online lottery sector as sales have been slumping of late.
The Japanese Internation Affairs and Communications Ministry is reportedly is considering allowing more lottery products to be sold via the internet. The country currently has a limited online market, but the regulators are proposing the expansion as sales are dropping. The lottery remains profitable, but the ¥845.2b brought in last year comes in well under the ¥1.1t generated in 2005. Lottery revenues have been down for five consecutive years in the country.
Right now about 40% of all lottery products can be purchased online, and the proposal would up that number considerably.
Japan is currently in a state of flux when it comes to gambling. The country is in the process of legalizing casino gambling as it works to build resorts and betting destinations in an effort to raise revenue. No details on the proposed expansion were available as of press time, but we'll update this story as more developments arise.