4 Japanese pro baseball players accused of using online casinos
Japanese police have referred four players and an official of the Saitama Seibu Lions pro baseball team to prosecutors for alleged online gambling, which is illegal in Japan.
The players are Tonosaki Shuta, Tsuge Sena, Kodama Ryosuke and Hasegawa Shinya.
Investigative sources say they are accused of accessing online casino websites using their smartphones and other devices and placing bets.
The probe was launched by the Saitama prefectural police after it was contacted by the baseball club. The five were questioned on a voluntary basis.
The Seibu Lions has issued a statement, offering an apology and expressing regret that the club failed to ensure its players understood that online gambling is illegal.
The club said the five deeply regret they used casino websites out of curiosity and agreed to pay a penalty imposed by the club.
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