MANILA, Philippines - A TV host is under investigation by Korean authorities for illegal sports gambling.
Kim Yong Man, 46, who emcees five TV programs, appeared before authorities this week to answer the charges.
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| Photo by www.newsen.com |
He is accused of betting about 1 billion won (about P36.54 million) on illegal sports gambling sites for five years since 2008.
The TV host has reportedly admitted to the charges.
A report by the Korea Times said Kim Yong man placed bets on footbal games.
"The illegal betting website dubbed 'Private Toto' has no monetary limit for each bet, while the limit for Toto, the country’s only legal sports betting operator, is 100,000 won," the report said.
Because of the scandal, Kim Yong Man has decided to step down as host of TV programs.
These are MBC's "Section TV Entertainment News," JTBC's "Victory with Doctors," SBS' "Star Couple Show Honey" and KBS' "Vitamin" and "Talk Show Do Dream."
In 2011, Kim Yong Man sued his former agency to get his talent fees amounting to about $172,000.
He joins the list of other Korean celebrities who were involved in illegal gambling.
Entertainer Shin Jung Hwan faced the same dilemma back in 2010 for gambling in Cebu City.
He went into hiding for five months but surfaced later. He lost his TV shows and has not appeared on TV since then.
TV host Kang Byung-hun was charged with online gambling after he bet about $1.1 million won on a Philippine website. He got a two-year suspended prison term and was ordered to do community service.
Shin Hye Sung of boy band Shinhwa was fined in 2009 for gambling in Macau.
Singer Lee Sung Jin was sued for gambling debt after he played at a casino in the Philippines.
Link to my original article on Manila Bulletin online:
http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=4618&sid=4&subid=26#.UVAjDBxmiSo
Email me at sangchusan(at)gmail.com
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