In a shocking turn of events, two players from the Yomiuri Giants, Okoe Takuma and Masato Masuda, have been referred to prosecutors by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of engaging in illegal gambling through online casinos. The announcement came on May 8, 2025, as investigations revealed both players had admitted to the allegations.
Okoe, 27, is accused of accessing online casino sites such as "Wonder Casino" and participating in games like Blackjack and Baccarat from his smartphone in July 2022 and again in May 2023. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Masuda allegedly engaged in similar activities from October to November 2024. Reports indicate that Okoe placed approximately 7 million yen in bets, resulting in a loss of 4.5 million yen, while Masuda wagered around 3 million yen, incurring a loss of 2.3 million yen.
Both players reportedly acknowledged their actions during the investigation, leading the police to recommend prosecution. This incident has raised serious concerns within the realm of Japanese professional baseball, especially as it follows a broader investigation into illegal gambling practices among players.
In March 2025, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the twelve professional baseball teams had already announced that a total of 16 players had been implicated in similar illegal online casino activities, leading to fines totaling 10.2 million yen across the teams involved. Among those previously referred to prosecutors was Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taiga Yamasaki, who faced similar charges.
The Yomiuri Giants issued a statement in light of the incident, revealing that the two players came forward voluntarily after the team called on all members to report any online casino usage on February 20, 2025. They expressed their desire to correct their mistakes before the season commenced, stating, "We wanted to correct our mistakes before the season started," and acknowledged their regret for using online casinos without realizing their illegality. They have also accepted the maximum fines imposed by the league without objection.
In a troubling trend, the issue of online gambling has been expanding beyond the baseball world. In April 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department referred six entertainers from Yoshimoto Kogyo for similar gambling-related offenses. The police's investigation found that approximately 3.37 million people in Japan have engaged with online casinos, with total bets amounting to a staggering 1.2 trillion yen annually.
Okoe and Masuda's case highlights the ongoing struggle within sports to maintain integrity amid rising gambling temptations. Both players have stated that they believed online casinos operated in a legal gray area. Okoe remarked, "I thought online casinos were gray," while Masuda admitted, "I like gambling and was taught about it by an acquaintance." Their reflections underscore a lack of awareness regarding the legal implications of their actions.
The Giants have committed to addressing the situation appropriately, taking into account the prosecutor's future decisions. As the investigation unfolds, the baseball community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that reinforces the importance of ethical conduct within the sport.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls athletes face in an increasingly digital world where online gambling is prevalent. As the story develops, it will be crucial for the NPB and the Giants to implement measures that ensure players are educated on the legal ramifications of their actions and to uphold the integrity of the game.
