Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) has penalized three TSG Hawks pitchers after an internal probe uncovered that they participated in online poker games. Taiwan is famous for its harsh gambling regulations, as gambling using offshore platforms is considered illegal. This strict ruling underscores the league’s zero-tolerance stance toward gambling violations among players.
The Instigating Player Received Harsher Penalties
According to a recent Taipei Times report, three pitchers, Guo Yu-yan, Chen Guan-hao, and Wu Yu-cheng, participated in online Texas hold ’em poker sessions earlier this year. CPBL ruled that Guo will be suspended for ten games and receive a TWD 100,000 ($3,270) fine, while Chen and Wu will each miss five games and face a TWD 50,000 ($1,630) fine.
The league noted that the penalties should serve as a warning to other athletes, helping protect the sport’s integrity and maintain public confidence in professional baseball. CPBL secretary-general Yang Ching-lung confirmed that the organization responded to a tip-off that a sports agency had enticed players to engage in online poker. The CPBL pledged to remain vigilant regarding any potential violations involving athletes or team personnel.
“We ask all clubs and players to uphold the good image and core values of professional baseball, and to know what these mean for our society.”
CPBL statement
According to the CPBL’s findings, a Taiyu Sports Agency representative first contacted Guo between January and June this year. Guo later introduced online poker to Chen and Wu, but the two quickly stopped playing. The agency’s agent, Cheng Ming-yang, denied introducing players to the gambling platform. The company also distanced itself from the incident.
Gambling Remains a Sensitive Subject in Taiwan
The CPBL has a long track record of dealing with issues surrounding poker and gambling. In August last year, four players received suspensions and were fined after photographs surfaced showing them playing in private poker games. The league has since tightened its oversight, requiring clubs to host regular conduct training sessions.
This newest incident again draws attention to the ongoing debate regarding the legal status of poker in Taiwan. All gambling remains prohibited without a state-issued licence, and online poker involving real money is illegal. Although many Taiwanese users engage with offshore platforms, participation in such activities remains a violation of local laws.
“Engaging in online gambling is not a sanctioned activity for players, which has tarnished Taiwan’s professional baseball.”
CPBL statement
High-profile athletes, as public figures, must follow even stricter codes of conduct, as the CPBL remains adamant that any form of online gambling could erode public trust and violate the ethical expectations placed on players. Despite such controversies, Taiwan regularly hosts international poker tournaments that exist in a legal grey zone due to their fixed buy-ins and prize pools.