In a recent major upheaval in Major League Baseball (MLB), two pitchers have been indicted in connections with gambling activities. Details are yet to be disclosed, however, authorities have confirmed that the investigations are underway and legal actions have been initiated. This news comes as a significant jolt to the MLB and the sports fraternity, putting the ethics and integrity of sports person in the limelight once again.

Gambling, especially in sports, has always been a controversial issue in Japan where most forms of gambling are banned. The public often views such activities as a breach of societal norms and ethical standards expected of athletes. In the past, cases of gambling related to sports have been subject to intense media scrutiny and led to severe criticism from the public.

In the United States and European Union, sports gambling is viewed with the same seriousness but the degree of legal penalty and social stigma are relatively less compared to Japan. However, any linkage of professional athletes in gambling activities is also considered a serious breach of ethics and integrity and often results in suspensions, hefty fines and potentially career-ending scandals.