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Read Full BioRui Okoye and Daiki Masuda of the Japanese professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants will not be indicted for gambling at online casinos.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office announced that the players would not be prosecuted for using illegal online casino sites.
Both players reported the gambling to the team, who then referred the case to prosecutors last month. The fact that the players confessed to the activity appears to have been a big factor in escaping prosecution.
Speaking to the Japanese media group, NHK, the Yomiuri Giants commented, “We understand this result reflects the fact that the players voluntarily confessed their use of online casinos, were recognized as having turned themselves in, and have shown genuine remorse and a desire to make amends.”
A team spokesperson added, “Going forward, we will work proactively on social contribution activities as part of fulfilling our social responsibility. We will strengthen internal guidance within the team and also strive to educate the public that online casinos are illegal.”
Online Casino Are Not Legal In Japan
Online casinos are illegal in Japan. In addition to prosecuting operators, the country can also enforce punishments on individuals. Anyone found guilty of using illegal gambling sites can face fines up to $500,000. Penalties can reach three years in prison for repeat offenders.
Lawmakers have been strengthening laws against the rise of online casino gambling in the country. Last week, the Japanese ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced further plans to stop the activity.
It is estimated that over 3 million people in Japan have accessed online casino sites at least once. Around 500,000 regularly use illegal platforms.
Other Baseball Players Hope For Gambling Reprieve
In a similar case, five members of another pro-baseball team are under investigation for gambling at online casinos. Four Saitama Seibu Lions players and one member of the staff also self-reported gambling activity to their team before the case was referred to prosecutors.
Earlier this year, another pro-baseball player, Taisuke Yamaoka was found to be gambling at an overseas online casino. The Orix Buffaloes pitcher was also not prosecuted, but was fined by Japan’s professional baseball league (NPB).
The case sparked internal investigations at Japan’s professional baseball teams. A further 14 players came forward admitting to using online casinos. No players faced criminal charges, but they were issued fines ranging from $600 to $20,000.
Japanese Celebrities Also Dealing With Gambling Scandals
In addition to baseball players, there have been other recent cases of celebrities in Japan being implicated in online gambling scandals. TV presenter Kenta Yamamoto has been removed from his position at Fuji TV after admitting to gambling at online casinos.
Another member of staff at Fuji TV was also arrested last week for reportedly gambling ¥100 million ($680,000) at an online casino. They suffered losses of ¥24 million ($160,000).
Yoshitaka Suzuki, the manager in charge of planning at Fuji TV’s variety show division, allegedly lied about his ongoing habit during an internal investigation. The baseball players have not been prosecuted due in part to self-reporting their crimes. Suzuki attempted to cover-up his own gambling, which could lead to stricter punishment.
Additionally, Shion Tsurubo, a member of the boy band JO1, was referred to prosecutors for gambling at online casinos earlier this month. Tsurubo also did not self-report his crime, but was caught during a broader investigation into unrelated financial crimes. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department asked prosecutors to enforce “strict punishments” on the pop star.
Self-reporting crimes can significantly reduce punishment in Japan’s legal system. Article 42 of the penal code states, “If the offender voluntarily surrenders himself/herself before the discovery of the crime, the punishment may be reduced or waived.”
