Even if Japan’s official age of adulthood is lowered to 18 from 20, those under 20 will still be barred from gambling, sources said.

The move is designed to protect young people from gambling addiction, the sources said Monday.

The government is slated to submit a bill to revise the Civil Code to introduce the new age of adulthood during an extraordinary Diet session later this year.

The government also plans to propose a replacement for the current gambling law, which prohibits those under the age of adulthood from betting on horse, bicycle, boat and motorcycle racing. The new wording would specify that the ban is for those under 20.

The government also plans to maintain the current ban on alcohol and tobacco for those under 20.

KEYWORDS gambling, casinos, Japan