Taipei, Taiwan (November 17, 2025)— The long-running Super Basketball League (SBL) match-fixing scandal reached a major conclusion today as the Shilin District Court issued its verdict against former league MVP Ko Min-hao and 15 other defendants. The case, stemming from a 2023 scheme involving game manipulation and illegal betting, has been under trial for nearly 20 months.
The investigation began when prosecutors uncovered suspicious betting patterns during the SBL’s 20th season, prompting a full probe led by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office. The group was charged with fraud, gambling violations, and breaches of the Sports Lottery Issuance Act.
Sentences Announced
The court issued the following penalties:
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Ko Min-hao — 7 years in prison
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Wu Chi-ying — 2 years in prison, suspended for 5 years; NT$200,000 payment to the public treasury
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Chiu Chung-po — 1 year and 8 months, suspended for 4 years
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Lee Chi-en — 1 year and 8 months, suspended for 4 years
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Huang Hsuan-min — 4 years and 9 months
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Yen Wen-tso — 5 years
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Ban-pa (foreign player) — 5 years and 2 months, to be deported after serving
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Chen Pin-chuan — 4 years and 4 months
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Chou Wei-chen — 4 years and 9 months
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Wu Yu-jen — 4 years and 10 months
Additional defendants received lighter sentences:
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Huang Pin-xuan (Wu’s girlfriend) — 1 year, suspended for 2 years
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Friend surnamed You — 9 months, suspended for 2 years
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Friend surnamed Zhang — 8 months
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Friend surnamed Qiu — 1 year, suspended for 2 years
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Betting group leader Qiu Ji-wei — 2 months, suspended for 5 years
How the Scheme Operated
Prosecutors detailed how the match-fixing ring manipulated outcomes during the 20th SBL season, which ran from January 7 to May 21, 2023, with four participating teams: Yulon Luxgen, Taiwan Beer, Changhua BLL, and Bank of Taiwan. Since the SBL is an officially recognized sports lottery target, bets placed on games fall under strict legal oversight.
Yulon’s roster included key figures later implicated in the scandal:
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Ko Min-hao (starting point guard)
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Wu Chi-ying (shooting guard)
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Ban-pa (starting center)
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And several other players who joined the scheme
The operation began when Ko introduced his former acquaintance, Chiu Chi-wei, an underground gambling organizer, to other players. As betting restrictions tightened on Wu Chi-ying—who frequently exceeded individual betting limits—he recruited his girlfriend and several friends to open additional betting accounts.
Over time, a total of nine players participated in score manipulation in exchange for illegal gambling profits.
Examples of Game Manipulation
Evidence revealed deliberate attempts to influence game results, including:
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Ignoring play strategies assigned by coaches
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Intentionally making poor passes to create turnovers
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Taking unreasonable shots
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Missing open baskets
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Fouling repeatedly near the end of games to alter score margins
Investigators found that the group profited from at least 18 manipulated games and 7 “point control” matches, earning more than NT$20 million illegally.
One notable incident occurred during a warm-up match in late 2022 between Taiwan Beer and Yulon:
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Wu Chi-ying placed NT$155,000 in bets through multiple accounts
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Yulon won 70–67, allowing Wu to collect NT$698,000 in winnings
Another major example happened on April 30, 2023, in a game against Bank of Taiwan. With Yulon leading 74–71 and favored by 3.5 points, the coach instructed a safe dunk to maintain the lead. Instead, Wu and Ko altered the play to attempt a three-pointer, resulting in a 77–71 win—enough to secure their betting gains. Wu earned NT$381,950 from that game alone.
Conclusion
The Shilin District Court’s verdict marks one of the most significant rulings related to sports integrity in Taiwan. The scandal, involving star athletes, gambling networks, and extensive game manipulation, has prompted renewed calls for stricter oversight and better education on sports ethics.
Prosecutors stated that the case serves as a critical warning to professional athletes about the severe consequences of involvement in illegal betting and match-fixing.