Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department has referred J-Pop star Shion Tsurubo to prosecutors after the J01 member confessed to using illegal online casinos.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on Monday, the TMPD accused Tsurubo, 24, of betting around ¥440,000 ($3,052) on roulette and other games.
The Japanese daily cited the TMPD as stating Tsurubo used his mobile to gamble on the illegal sites from May to June 2024.
I was attracted by how easy it was”
“I was attracted by how easy it was and became addicted. I knew that gambling was prohibited by law, but I thought online casinos would be okay.”
Reports state the J-pop icon has bet around ¥15m ($103,983) since December 2023 and has lost approximately ¥7.1m ($49, 226).
While online gambling is illegal in Japan, in April a national study revealed almost one in five young Japanese spent enough on online, in-game purchases to affect their “ability to cover living expenses.”
