Three CPBL Players Suspended for Online Poker in Taiwan

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) of Taiwan has suspended three players from the TSG Hawks after confirming they took part in online poker games, an activity strictly prohibited under league rules. The investigation, conducted jointly by the league and the team, concluded that the players violated Taiwan’s gambling laws and professional conduct guidelines.

Good to Know

• Guo Yu-yan received a 10-game suspension and a 100,000 NT fine.
• Chen Guan-hao and Wu Yu-cheng each received five-game suspensions and 50,000 NT fines.
• Taiwan allows only state-run lotteries; all other gambling activities are illegal.

According to the Taipei Times, both the TSG Hawks and CPBL began investigating after reports surfaced that the players were involved in online poker games. Following the inquiry, Guo Yu-yan, Chen Guan-hao, and Wu Yu-cheng were found to have participated in prohibited online gambling sessions.

League officials released a statement expressing concern over the players’ actions:

“Engaging in online gambling is not a sanctioned activity for players, which has tarnished the image of professional baseball in Taiwan. Baseball clubs must impose better internal monitoring and instruct players on the code of conduct.”

The CPBL added that players are expected to uphold integrity and represent the sport’s core values.

“We ask all clubs and players to uphold the good image and core values of professional baseball, and to understand what those values mean for society.”

Guo Identified as the Organizer

CPBL secretary-general Yang Ching-lung confirmed that league officials were first alerted to the situation after receiving reports of players gambling online. The investigation revealed that Guo Yu-yan recruited Chen and Wu to join the poker sessions, resulting in Guo receiving the heaviest penalty — a 10-game suspension and 100,000 NT (3,294 USD) fine.

Meanwhile, Chen Guan-hao and Wu Yu-cheng each received a five-game suspension and 50,000 NT (1,647 USD) fine. The league stated that disciplinary measures reflect both the severity of the infraction and each player’s level of involvement.

Gambling Restrictions in Taiwan

Taiwan has strict anti-gambling laws, allowing only a state-run lottery as the sole legal form of betting. Since early 2022, the government has actively blocked access to poker websites, prompting illegal operators to host private games via apps managed by offshore agents.

Authorities have been working to curb the spread of online gambling, which remains popular despite enforcement efforts. The CPBL, meanwhile, continues to emphasize that any association with gambling—online or offline—violates professional conduct standards for its athletes.

The league faced a similar scandal in August 2024, when five players were suspended and fined for taking part in illegal brick-and-mortar poker games. The recent case underscores the ongoing challenge of keeping players away from unregulated betting activities.

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