Titan Agency, widely recognized for representing comedians and athletes, has recently uncovered troubling news about its internal members’ involvement with online casinos. On March 1, 2025, CEO Hikari Ohta confirmed the findings of the agency’s internal investigation, which revealed four individuals within the organization had participated in online gambling.
According to Ohta, the investigation involved interviews with 106 employees, and the results prompted swift and serious responses from the agency. "It has come to light there are four individuals within our agency who have used online casinos," Ohta stated, reiteratively acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
The agency expressed sincere regret for its earlier failure to educate its staff about the risks and regulations surrounding illegal gambling. "We sincerely apologize for having failed to sufficiently educate our personnel against illegal gambling practices," Ohta continued, emphasizing the need for future compliance.
Since the revelations, Titan Agency has been focused on rebuilding trust and implementing rigorous compliance training and education programs for all its employees and talents. Ohta mentioned the organization’s commitment to require periodic training sessions by external legal experts, alongside setting up consultation channels to enable employees to seek advice about legal issues comfortably.
The internal investigation was initiated following concerning discussions around the rising number of prominent entertainers allegedly linked to online gambling platforms. The relevance of these participations sparked fears of reputational damage and legal consequences.
By February 21, 2025, the agency had concluded discussions and notified involved parties about the findings. According to Ohta, the agency has promised to implement special rehabilitation programs for the individuals involved, stating, "We promise to conduct special rehabilitation programs and voluntary attendance to explain the circumstances to law enforcement." This indicates the agency’s commitment to addressing the issue thoroughly and responsibly.
Despite the need for transparency, Ohta disclosed the agency’s decision to withhold the names of the implicated individuals. This decision was made carefully, factoring elements such as the severity of gambling dependency and the need to maintain legal integrity throughout the process. He explained, "We determined it best to refrain from naming individuals at this moment, taking various factors like addiction severity and legal concerns under advisement."
Such measures highlight the agency's recognition of the delicate nature of the situation and the broader responsibility they bear to protect their talents and their own reputation. With numerous high-profile entertainers facing scrutiny for similar reasons, Titan Agency’s effort to address this situation head-on might set precedents for accountability within the entertainment industry.
Moving forward, Titan Agency commits to enhancing its compliance awareness to avoid similar issues. They have pledged to review their policies and practices to align more rigorously with legal standards, ensuring their artists and employees are fully educated and vigilant against unlawful practices.
The agency extended their apologies to the public for the disturbance caused by the incident and reiterated their dedication to transparency and accountability. "The agency is deeply remorseful for any inconvenience and distress caused by this oversight," Ohta concluded, calling for public support as they move past this incident and reinforce their commitment to ethical practices.
By taking proactive steps and showing willingness to rectify the situation, Titan Agency aims to regain trust and assure its associates, clients, and the general public of its dedication to upholding the highest ethical standards.