Takumi Niwa, a 30-year-old Japanese table tennis star and 2021 Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, was arrested on suspicion of illegal online gambling using crypto.
Japan’s Olympic Star Involved in Crypto-Driven Online Gambling
According to the Chiba Prefecture Police, the Olympic medalist was transferred to the prosecutor’s office on the 29th after he admitted the relevant charges during the voluntary interrogation.
As per local media outlets, Niwa allegedly placed bets on sports game outcomes through overseas online casinos, which are banned under Japanese law. During voluntary questioning, he reportedly admitted to the charges, stating, “I didn’t know it was illegal, and I feel very sorry. I’m sorry to my fans,” as quoted by Kyodo News.
Authorities revealed that Niwa used crypto assets to fund his gambling activities, bypassing traditional banking systems. His involvement came to light during a broader police crackdown on online casino payment agents, which uncovered a network of users engaging in illegal betting across Japan.
Japanese police have requested strict handling of the case, which indicates prosecutors’ increased scrutiny of crypto-linked crimes.
Niwa, who previously won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and competed in the London 2012 Games at just 17, announced his retirement in 2022 but remained active in the sports community. He was accused of connecting to an online casino site from within Japan in the early summer of 2011 where he was involved in betting using cryptocurrencies.
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