Famous Japanese Personalities Accused of Unlawful Gambling Activities
In a bid to raise awareness and demonstrate that no one is immune from prosecution over the issue of illegal gambling, Japanese authorities have intensified their efforts to prosecute individuals involved in online gambling or sports betting, regardless of their status or profession. This crackdown, which targets both individuals and agencies, has seen several high-profile personalities in the entertainment industry come under scrutiny.
Comedians Asahi Saito and Hiroshi Sano, better known as Butter Young, are the latest celebrities named in Japan's anti-gambling probe. Asahi, a solo comedian under agency Titan, has been referred to prosecutors by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for illegal online gambling. He reportedly admitted to gambling on overseas casino sites via smartphone. Hiroshi Sano, another member of Butter Young, was also referred to prosecutors in the same investigation.
The entertainment industry has not been spared from the crackdown. Shion Tsurubo, a 24-year-old singer who rose to fame on *Produce 101 Japan* and is a member of the group JO1, was charged by Tokyo police for illegal online gambling in June 2025. He admitted to becoming “obsessed” with easily accessible online gambling sites. Kenta Yamamoto, a leading Japanese TV presenter, also admitted to using online casinos, prompting his employer Fuji TV to consider a broader investigation into its staff.
Japanese authorities are making a public effort to reveal the names of all individuals caught gambling illegally overseas. This public disclosure, which includes both real and stage names, is seen as a particularly punitive and deterrent measure, especially in the entertainment industry. The country has targeted news anchors, athletes, boy band members, and comedians in this crackdown.
Interestingly, Japanese authorities are showing leniency towards baseball players who self-report their involvement in overseas gambling, avoiding prosecution. This leniency, however, does not extend to other professions. A 38-year-old Tokyo resident was arrested for placing record-breaking amounts of wagers overseas, with over $194 million spent, despite not being aware that gambling is illegal. Their talent agency, Titan, referred them to the police, along with several other individuals who were also found to have gambled.
Recent legislative changes now also ban all advertising and promotion of overseas casino sites, reflecting a broader effort to curb gambling addiction and offshore betting. Japan’s intensified crackdown on illegal online gambling, a criminal offense even when using overseas platforms, is part of a broader strategy to deter individuals from engaging in such activities.
- Comedians Asahi Saito, despite being under the agency Titan, and Hiroshi Sano, another member of Butter Young, have been referred to prosecutors for their involvement in illegal online gambling.
- Kenta Yamamoto, a prominent Japanese TV presenter, also confessed to using online casinos, prompting his employer Fuji TV to consider a thorough investigation into its staff.
- In a surprising move, Japanese authorities are showing leniency towards baseball players who self-report their participation in overseas gambling, thus avoiding prosecution, while maintaining strict measures for other professions.
