The Japanese professional baseball season begins on March 28. However, there is a pressing problem that Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) must resolve before then.
Some players are suspected of gambling at online casinos, but the response of Japan's baseball world remains far from clear. Will the fans go along with starting the season without addressing the problem?
The NPB must make a clear-cut, unified decision before the first pitch.
Players and Online Casinos Don't Mix
In February, it was revealed that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka had patronized online casinos. When his conduct was discovered, the team suspended him.
The NPB then asked players and related parties from all teams to voluntarily report whether they had engaged in online gambling. In response, an additional 14 players from seven teams admitted to having done so.
The NPB has not disclosed the names of those teams or players. Furthermore, it has left it up to individual teams to decide whether or not to discipline the players. In other words, there is no clear message.
It was also learned that the Fukuoka Prefectural Police have questioned Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks officials on a voluntary basis. Nevertheless, NPB and the team have not revealed whether the individual or individuals suspected of gambling voluntarily cooperated with the police.
If baseball's response remains unclear, it will create a sense that Yamaoka was unfairly singled out and suspended. Furthermore, if only those who self-report are punished, it may end up that only the players who have come clean will suffer.
Beyond the immediate concern, if criminal elements obtain the names of players spared from disclosure, the information could be used to lure the players into schemes to throw games.
Take Action Now
The NPB should immediately set a deadline for self-reporting. Simultaneously, it must clarify the standards for disciplinary action and make public the names of teams and players involved in the scandal.
As long as players voluntarily report, at this point, no severe punishments should be handed out.
We would like to see players who used online casinos sincerely express remorse for their actions. They should also actively cooperate in activities to educate the public about the pitfalls of gambling. Then, they should focus on getting back on the field as soon as possible.
However, severe punishments should be meted out to players who gamble at online casinos after the deadline.
This needs to be a unified policy announced by the NPB. It would be irresponsible to leave everything up to the individual teams.
Making Gambling Prohibited for All
Article 180 of the Professional Baseball Agreement with the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association states that gambling is prohibited. But that provision only applies to gambling on baseball.
In contrast, North America's Major League Baseball (MLB) has prohibited all illegal gambling in the majors. Likewise, South Korea's KBO League also stipulates in its rules that sanctions will be imposed on individuals who bet at online casinos.
Shouldn't the NPB also urgently revise its agreement with the ballplayers?
Needless to say, betting at online casinos from Japan is illegal and constitutes a crime. Moreover, because gambling like this is so easy, if you become addicted, your debts can grow without limit. That is evident from the case of Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
The NPB needs to step up to the plate and set a good example as an organization committed to ending this evil practice.
RELATED:
- Ippei Mizuhara Handed a 57-Month Prison Sentence in Fraud Case
- EDITORIAL | Ohtani Interpreter's Ruin Shows the Evil of Illegal Gambling
(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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