Seibu Lions Rocked by Allegations of Illegal Betting

Four players and a staff member representing the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan are facing prosecution after police accused them of taking part in illegal online gambling.

The baseball players who have been named in the investigation are Tonosaki Shuta, Tsuge Sena, Kodama Ryosuke, and Hasegawa Shinya. For the time being, the team official who is also part of the investigation has remained unnamed.

They Used Offshore Casinos to Bet on Mobile

According to investigative sources, the five accessed offshore online casino sites using smartphones and other personal devices to place bets, an activity strictly prohibited under Japanese law. 

Saitama Prefectural Police launched the investigation after the team brought the issue to their attention. 

All five individuals cooperated with authorities during questioning. While there was no clear indication that they actually placed any bets on sports or influenced game outcomes while using the respective offshore platforms, the situation has raised red flags within the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) organization and sparked fresh concerns regarding player conduct off the field.

They Used the Casinos “Out of Curiosity” 

In an official statement, the Seibu Lions apologized and admitted they should have done a better job informing players about Japan’s strict online gambling laws.

The club confirmed that all persons involved acknowledged that what they did was wrong and agreed to pay penalties levied internally.

“The five deeply regret they used casino websites out of curiosity,” the club stated.

The situation comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal betting within Japan’s most cherished sport. Earlier this year, 14 NPB players admitted to using similar unregulated online casinos. 

In response, the league has urged all teams to conduct internal checks and provide mandatory education to players and staff about gambling laws.

First Legal Casino Resort, Underway

While the country maintains strict prohibitions on most forms of wagering, exceptions include lotteries, horse racing, and motor sports. Pachinko, though widely played for money, is legally classified as a form of amusement.

Meanwhile, the country is moving ahead with its first legal casino resort, MGM Osaka, a joint project between MGM Resorts and Orix Corporation. 

The project is currently under development, and the grand opening is scheduled to take place later this decade. 

The ¥1.27 trillion ($9 billion) resort will allow Japanese citizens to gamble, but only after paying an entry fee, aimed at discouraging problem gambling. Despite such restrictions, illegal online gambling remains widespread. Experts estimate that Japanese citizens wagered approximately $45 billion online in 2024.