Three TSG Hawks Pitchers Suspended for Playing Online Poker
Three pitchers from Taiwan’s TSG Hawks baseball team have been suspended and fined for participating in online Texas Hold’em poker games, violating CPBL rules.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The players, named Guo Yu-yan, Chen Guan-hao, and Wu Yu-cheng, were found to have broken league rules against gambling, with evidence pointing to a sports agent’s role in the incident.
The CPBL and the U.S.G Hawks started separate probes after reports came in about the players' involvement. CPBL secretary-general Yang Ching-lung said he acted on reports that a sports agency "had enticed players to engage in online poker games involving betting."
Investigators learned that an agent from Taiyu Sports Agency had first pulled Guo into the games from January to June 2025. Guo then shared the online platform with Chen and Wu in March, though the pair stopped playing soon after.
The league confirmed the players joined private cash games on an app, even as Taiwan has blocked poker sites since 2022. In Taiwan, the only legal form of gambling is the state-run lottery, making the players' actions a clear violation of professional conduct rules.
However, Taiyu Sports Agency has denied any misconduct and also rejected claims of arranging loans for players' debts. It pledged to work with the CPBL, the team, and the players' union to resolve the issue.
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Penalties Handed Down
As the one who started things among the group, Guo received the toughest punishment: a 10-game suspension and a fine of NT$100,000 ($3,300). Chen and Wu got five-game suspensions and NT$50,000 fines each ($1,650).
For these pitchers, the suspensions mean missing key games, which could affect their performance records and team standings.
This case draws parallels with an August 2024 incident, where four players, including Kuo Tian-shin, Chang Cheng-yu, and Tseng Chuan-sheng from the Wei Chuan Dragons, and Tseng Jyun-yue from the Fubon Guardians, received penalties for playing poker at gaming lounges.
The incident has sparked talks about tighter checks to avoid gambling issues, including possible ties to match-fixing. Teams are now encouraged to hold regular sessions on ethics, hoping to keep trust high among fans who see baseball as a clean, community-focused sport.
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