The Fierce Competition for Public Gambling Jobs in Entertainment and Why It Makes Sense

Mitsuhō Fukudome (20), who was a member of AKB48’s Team 8, is making significant strides as the post-Nagisa Shibuya.

“In March of this year, she appeared as a target in a prank on the YouTube channel of former TV Tokyo producer Nobuyuki Sakuma (48), known for shows like ‘Godtan’. Her impressive performance in a comedy skit and her passion for boat racing became a hot topic. She has since become highly sought after for various boat racing programs and streams” (sports newspaper entertainment reporter).

Major talent agencies are reportedly anxious about Fukudome’s rise.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, public gambling with online voting has seen increased sales, and the fees for streaming and promotions are high. Due to this boom, Yoshimoto Kogyo, which has many gambling enthusiasts, established a division specializing in public gambling. Additionally, BS Yoshimoto has partnered with MIXI’s Chariloto to broadcast keirin races daily.

Female talents knowledgeable about public gambling are in high demand, and Fukudome has emerged in this competitive field. Influenced by her boat racing-loving father, she has been a dedicated fan since her teens. Her deep knowledge and expertise make her a significant threat to agencies promoting more casual fan talents” (advertising agency insider).

There was a time when public gambling was viewed negatively, but the image has drastically improved with popular actors like Fūju Kamio (25) appearing in commercials. The surge in young fans is one reason why talent agencies are focusing on public gambling.

“Rena Takeda (26) quickly became the image character for Iwakipara Keirin in her hometown after her boat racing commercial contract ended. Watanabe Entertainment is also enthusiastic, with Wagaya’s Yoshiyuki  Tsubokura (46) serving as an MC for boat racing streaming programs, and popular young comedians like Partychang and Yonsen Shōshin actively appearing in keirin venue promotions” (advertising agency insider).

ABEMA, a network TV station, broadcasts multiple boat racing and keirin coverage programs.

“There is fierce competition for these jobs.”

Says a production company director.

“With the Boat Racing Promotion Association and other entities directly sponsoring, the fees are quite good. When ABEMA launched a coverage program and used Shinagawa Shōji’s Yū Shinagawa (52) and NON STYLE’s Yūsuke Inoue (44) as experimental MCs, it is said that the senior Cocorico’s Shōzō Endō (52) was amazed by the fee amount. It is rumored that Endō promoted himself to an ABEMA producer formerly involved with Downtown and secured the official MC position” (production company director).

Rino Sashihara (31) is also one of the talents connecting her love for boat racing to her work.

“She regularly features boat racing segments on the YouTube channel of her idol group =LOVE and has secured tie-up work. Quite impressive” (advertising agency insider).

Given the declining fees for terrestrial TV, gambling-related work is becoming increasingly attractive.

From the June 28, 2024 issue of FRIDAY