A 30-year-old male tax inspector in Osaka was fired after purchasing 2,251 horse and boat lottery tickets during work hours using a personal smartphone, failing to declare the resulting income. The Osaka National Tax Bureau announced the disciplinary action on April 3, 2026, with the Osaka National Tax Appeal Tribunal also involved in the process.
Background of the Incident
- Timeframe: Between July 2022 and April 2025
- Method: Used a personal smartphone to access lottery sites
- Frequency: Purchased tickets 2,251 times
- Amount Spent: Approximately 7.1 million yen
- Income Declaration: Failed to report winnings
Financial Irregularities
- Loan Scheme: Borrowed 1.4 million yen from a mutual association to fund gambling activities
- False Employment: Created fraudulent business documents to avoid tax on the borrowed funds
- Goal: To invest in a gambling business and cover monthly living expenses
Discovery and Consequences
- Investigation: Conducted by the National Tax Agency in May 2025
- Outcome: Tax inspector admitted to gambling and was fired
- Reasoning: The inspector stated he started gambling after buying a house 22 years ago and needed to cover living expenses
Related News
- Related Article: "1.5 billion yen lost to gambling, breaking the 'pro' generation" (April 1, 2026)
- Related Article: "Amusement and Entertainment Industry: First Violation Investigation" (December 23, 2025)
- Related Article: "Japan's 6.5 trillion yen annual outflow to overseas, half to online" (May 14, 2025)
