Fair Play or Legal Battle?
Why Online Gambling Matters to Sports Integrity in Japan This week, I read about online casino use in Japanese sports. The Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency emphasized that online casinos and sports betting remain illegal in Japan, even if the websites have licenses abroad. I also saw reports that two Yomiuri Giants players were sent to prosecutors for alleged online casino gambling. As a first-year university student who loves sports, this made me think about what “fair play” really means beyond the field. [1] [2] I chose this topic because gambling is closer to young people than we think. One click on a phone can blur the legal line, and that risk grows in pressure-filled sports environments. If athletes or staff get involved, fans may start doubting results, and that hurts everyone. I believe teams should require short compliance trainings each season and give players and support staff a safe place to ask questions early, before mistakes happen. To get perspective, I checked n...