Kitakyushu, May 18 (News On Japan) - A senior member of the Kudo-kai crime syndicate, designated as a particularly dangerous group, was arrested on Friday in Kitakyushu for allegedly operating an illegal dice gambling den known as 'Tabusai,' which reportedly generated over one million yen in a single night.
The arrest took place around 9:30 p.m. inside a condominium room in Kokurakita Ward, where police found the gambling den in operation and detained the suspect on the spot. Authorities say the gang member profited from the gambling activities, and the charges include habitual gambling and running a gambling business for financial gain.
Police had been tipped off about the operation and executed a search warrant, resulting in the immediate arrest. The suspect’s admission or denial of the allegations has not been disclosed.
Investigators believe the proceeds from the operation were likely funneled into the finances of the Kudo-kai syndicate, and further investigation is underway into the group's funding sources.
Four additional men were also arrested. A 54-year-old company executive and a 43-year-old unemployed man are suspected of assisting in the operation of the gambling den, while a 57-year-old Kudo-kai member and a 45-year-old company executive were arrested on suspicion of habitual gambling.
Tabusai, also known as "Tabu Saikoro" (タブサイコロ), is a traditional underground dice gambling game that has long been associated with illicit gambling circles in Japan, particularly those operated by organized crime groups. The name itself is an abbreviation derived from "Tabu" (possibly connoting "taboo") and "Saikoro," the Japanese word for dice. Although not widely known among the general public due to its illegal nature, the game has been quietly played for decades in secret dens, back rooms of establishments, or rented private spaces—often under the control of yakuza organizations.
The origins of Tabusai are difficult to pinpoint precisely, as the game has existed outside legal and cultural mainstreams, and it has rarely been documented in public records. However, it appears to be a variation of more common dice games such as Chō-Han, which is a simple even-odd betting game using two dice. In Tabusai, players typically bet on the outcome of multiple dice being thrown, and the format may vary depending on local rules set by the house or syndicate running the operation. The game is often fast-paced and designed to encourage repeat betting, maximizing the house’s earnings within a short period. In many versions, players choose a combination of numbers or place bets on certain patterns, while a dealer—often affiliated with the syndicate—handles the dice and payouts.
Tabusai differs from legal games like those seen in pachinko parlors or lottery systems in that it offers no pretense of legality or regulation. The entire setup operates in violation of Japanese gambling laws, which prohibit most forms of betting aside from state-sanctioned lotteries, horse racing, and a few motor sports. Because Tabusai games are often organized in temporary or mobile locations such as rented apartments, they are difficult for authorities to trace unless they receive specific intelligence. Moreover, because cash transactions are immediate and records are not kept, the game provides a convenient means of money laundering or direct income for criminal groups. This has led police to monitor and crack down on such gambling dens, especially when they appear to be funding larger criminal operations.
Source: RKB毎日放送NEWS
