15 individuals have been convicted in a major game-fixing and gambling case involving Taiwan's semi-professional Super Basketball League.
As reported by The Taipei Times, the Shilin District Court delivered its verdict, finding that 10 former players from the Yulon Luxgen Dinos conspired to manipulate scores in six league games played between February and April 2023.
The court identified former player Ko Min-hao as the central figure in the scheme. Ko received the heaviest sentence at seven years, with judges stating that he used his seniority to recruit younger teammates and orchestrate the score-fixing.
The court said this conduct harmed fair competition and undermined the integrity of Taiwan's basketball development.
Nine other players received prison terms ranging from one year and eight months to five years and two months. Those sentenced include Wu Chi-ying, Chiu Chung-po, Chen Pin-chuan, Huang Hsuan-min, Wu Yu-jen, Chou Wei-chen, Yen Wen-tso, Lee Chi-en, and Senegalese national Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Sarr.
Former assistant coach Chiu Chi-wei, an underground bookie, and four acquaintances of Wu Chi-ying were also convicted. They received sentences between eight months and two years for gambling offences and assisting in illegal betting.
The court noted that several defendants cooperated with investigators. Wu Chi-ying received a reduced sentence of two years, suspended for five years, after providing key evidence. The bookie and Wu's four acquaintances were also given suspended terms due to their confessions.
Bamba Sarr is to be deported after completing his sentence, the court ruled. It added that Chou Wei-chen would be reported for suspected perjury after his trial testimony differed significantly from earlier signed statements. All rulings remain subject to appeal.
The case also involved underground betting activity, with one defendant providing a gambling platform for profit over several months
