Japanese JudgeStole Civil Service Funds to Gamble on Baccarat

(AsiaGameHub) –   Prosecutors in Akita Prefecture have stated that a sitting Japanese judge developed an addiction to online gambling and misappropriated funds designated for civil servants to finance his habit.

According to a report by Japanese broadcaster AAB News, public prosecutors have indicted Akifumi Morimoto, a 52-year-old judge at a summary court in Niigata.

Morimoto faces charges including habitual gambling, embezzlement, and other related offenses.

The Akita District public prosecutors revealed that the judge used his smartphone and other internet-connected devices to engage in baccarat games on online casino platforms.

Japanese Judge Placed 60,000 Bets on Baccarat Games

Investigators reported that Morimoto made at least 60,000 bets, with his gambling activities reportedly beginning in 2023.

During that period, Morimoto was also responsible for overseeing the bank accounts of the management association for a national civil servants’ dormitory located in the city of Yokote.

Prosecution officials indicated that between April 2023 and May 2025, Morimoto embezzled approximately 2.79 million yen (close to $18,000) from these accounts.

Investigators stated that the judge transferred funds from the dormitory accounts into his personal accounts.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has not disclosed whether Morimoto has confessed to or denied the charges.

Online casinos are prohibited in Japan, and accessing overseas-based online casinos is a criminal offense. Courts possess the authority to imprison habitual illegal gamblers and impose substantial fines.

Across the country, investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting that several active-duty police officers have engaged in gambling during their work hours this year.

In February, Japanese prosecutors indicted a 35-year-old police lieutenant from the Okinawa Prefectural Police force on suspicion of habitual gambling on horse races through unregistered online casino sites.

Furthermore, in January, a detective at Hanyu Police Station admitted to stealing valuable trading cards from an evidence room.

The detective explained that he sold the cards and used the proceeds to bet on horse races.

During questioning by investigators, he stated, “I couldn’t control my desire to gamble.”