TOKYO, June 18 (UPI) -- Sumo wrestling stable master Otake allegedly told police he illegally bet on baseball games, widening Japan's gambling scandal, sporting experts say.
Sources connected with the Japan Sumo Association say the Tokyo police questioned Otake, whose ring name was Takatoriki, in an investigation into an alleged sports gambling operation involving 29 sumo wrestlers and senior personnel, including stable masters, some of whom are said to have confessed to illegal gambling on baseball, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Friday.
Otake allegedly telephoned others at his wrestling operation requesting they "take care of the stable."
Another sumo wrestler, Kotomitsuki, holding the second-highest rank of ozeki, allegedly has admitted illegally gambling on baseball and has voluntarily withdrawn from July's Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, the newspaper said.
The tournament may be canceled because of the extent of the scandal.
