The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry of Japan is reportedly considering the allowing of online lottery sales beginning in 2018.
Several Japanese news organizations are reporting that the authorities hope to generate more lottery sales through allowing customers to buy tickets online.
The lottery is a major and growing source of funding for local government and municipalities, especially public works and welfare projects. The tickets are sold in 20 cities with permission from the Ministry and the cities are able to collect 40 percent of the sales.
Tickets can be purchased at distribution outlets using ATMs and from the internet. What would be different, however, is that true online sales would require a system for protecting personal information as well as a way to protect existing outlets.
