Japan's NPB Confronts Online Casino Use Among Players and Officials

The Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) in Japan revealed on Thursday that 14 individuals from seven different teams, including players and team officials, have admitted to using online casinos in the past. This revelation came after the NPB requested all 12 baseball teams to have their members voluntarily report any online casino usage, following the announcement on February 21st that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka participated in a poker tournament hosted by a foreign casino website.

The NPB did not disclose the names of the 14 individuals, all of whom used online casinos after February 2022. This timeframe is significant as it falls within the three-year statute of limitations for simple gambling in Japan. Additionally, there were reports of cases where the statute of limitations had expired, but these were not included in the disclosure.

The NPB emphasized that there have been no reports of gambling on baseball, which is strictly prohibited by the Japanese professional baseball agreement. The organization will leave it to each team to decide whether to file police reports or impose punishments on the individuals involved.

"We take this very seriously," stated Katsuhiko Nakamura, secretary-general of the NPB. He added that the NPB will take necessary measures in response to these disclosures and will continue to accept voluntary reports for the time being.