Japan's Public Television Drops Sumo After Gambling Scandal

[Dirty]

Japan's Public Television Drops Sumo After Gambling Scandal

: [ send to a friend ] Japan's public broadcaster has cancelled its television coverage of a sumo tournament after a gambling scandal that has sullied the sport's reputation.
This is the first time the broadcast has been scrapped in 57 years.
However, it necessitated after evidence of wrestlers' gambling and signs of links to organized crime emerged.
More than 65 wrestlers, assistants and entourage members last month admitted to illegal gambling on baseball, mahjong and card games, with some bets organized through gangsters.
The Japan Sumo Association has already banned wrestler Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake for life after they admitted to betting on baseball games.
NHK says it won't air the 15-day tournament that starts on July 11 -- which have been on television since 1953 and radio since 1928.
Viewers are standing behind the decision with over 68 percent saying they didn't want the Nagoya tournament broadcast.
The station will instead only show results and highlights.
Betting in Japan is permitted only on horse racing and certain motor sports.




TV Shark - Japan's Public Television Drops Sumo After Gambling Scandal

[Reno Paul]

Watched horse racing in Japan on TVG before......Horse racing is HUGE there......Looks like there's a 100,000 spectators in the stands.

Also a big show in between races.

[Dirty]

Do they Sumo Wrestle between Races

[Reno Paul]