By Chung Hyun-chae
Three Samsung Lions players have been under investigation for alleged illegal overseas gambling, according to broadcast reports.
The allegations, if confirmed, are expected to influence the ongoing Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason in which the Lions are vying for a fifth straight Korean Series championship.
According to TV Chosun, a news cable channel, three key Lions pitchers gambled at a casino in Macau on three occasions after last season was over.
Under the law, Koreans' overseas gambling is illegal when the frequency and amount of their betting becomes significant. The government practices extraterritorial jurisdiction when it comes to gambling.
Prosecutors detected their illegal activities during their roundup of a local crime ring that organized gambling at casinos overseas and loaned money to gamblers.
They found the names of the three baseball players on the gang's guest list, on which several businesspeople were also included.
Those players allegedly bet tens of thousands of won by borrowing money from the gangsters, and then paid the debts after they returned home. One player allegedly lost 700 million won.
"We are trying to verify the truth in multiple ways and will take appropriate measures if it turns out to be true," the club spokesman said.
The Lions accomplished an unprecedented feat in Korean baseball history by clinching a fifth straight pennant during the regular season that just ended.
Given that the club has been solid throughout the season, boasting explosive batters and strong pitching, the gambling scandal could be detrimental to the team's chances in the upcoming Korean Series, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
"We are now headed for our big event. We should think how to settle the matter," Lions manager Ryu Jong-il said.
It is not the first time that the Lions have been hit by gambling scandals.
In 2008, Samsung Lions players were found to be involved in illegal gambling on the Internet.
The police confirmed that 16 baseball players were involved, 13 of whom belonged to the Samsung Lions, by tracking bank accounts of a gambling site operator.
At that time, the club explained that the players gambled because of stress caused by the pressure of the games.
The string of gambling scandals has tarnished the club's public image and frustrated its fans. The KBO then suspended some of the players.
An online entertainment and news outlet also raised another suspicion that other players of the Lions also gambled in Korea, citing circumstantial evidence.
Such illegality also took place in other sports as well. Earlier last month, 26 former and current athletes were booked for match-rigging and illegal gambling, including basketball players, judokas and wrestlers.
Three Samsung Lions players have been under investigation for alleged illegal overseas gambling, according to broadcast reports.
The allegations, if confirmed, are expected to influence the ongoing Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason in which the Lions are vying for a fifth straight Korean Series championship.
According to TV Chosun, a news cable channel, three key Lions pitchers gambled at a casino in Macau on three occasions after last season was over.
Under the law, Koreans' overseas gambling is illegal when the frequency and amount of their betting becomes significant. The government practices extraterritorial jurisdiction when it comes to gambling.
Prosecutors detected their illegal activities during their roundup of a local crime ring that organized gambling at casinos overseas and loaned money to gamblers.
They found the names of the three baseball players on the gang's guest list, on which several businesspeople were also included.
Those players allegedly bet tens of thousands of won by borrowing money from the gangsters, and then paid the debts after they returned home. One player allegedly lost 700 million won.
"We are trying to verify the truth in multiple ways and will take appropriate measures if it turns out to be true," the club spokesman said.
The Lions accomplished an unprecedented feat in Korean baseball history by clinching a fifth straight pennant during the regular season that just ended.
Given that the club has been solid throughout the season, boasting explosive batters and strong pitching, the gambling scandal could be detrimental to the team's chances in the upcoming Korean Series, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
"We are now headed for our big event. We should think how to settle the matter," Lions manager Ryu Jong-il said.
It is not the first time that the Lions have been hit by gambling scandals.
In 2008, Samsung Lions players were found to be involved in illegal gambling on the Internet.
The police confirmed that 16 baseball players were involved, 13 of whom belonged to the Samsung Lions, by tracking bank accounts of a gambling site operator.
At that time, the club explained that the players gambled because of stress caused by the pressure of the games.
The string of gambling scandals has tarnished the club's public image and frustrated its fans. The KBO then suspended some of the players.
An online entertainment and news outlet also raised another suspicion that other players of the Lions also gambled in Korea, citing circumstantial evidence.
Such illegality also took place in other sports as well. Earlier last month, 26 former and current athletes were booked for match-rigging and illegal gambling, including basketball players, judokas and wrestlers.
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