Vitamine Host Kang Byung-kyu Faces Online Gambling Charges

Kang Byung-kyu, baseball player turned host of the South Korean television show Vitamine, is facing charges that he bet billions of dollars gambling online, the Joongang Ilbo reported Wednesday.

Kang is one of 130 people detected gambling on the site, the prosecution said adding that he sent 1.6 billion won ($1.2 million) to the site operator and was paid back 1.2 billion won - a loss of 400 million won.

Four others were arrested for allegedly setting up a gambling house in the Philippines and broadcast Baccarat games live via Internet.

Kang's manager denied the allegation, saying he didn't even know how to play ``go-stop,'' a popular Korean game.  Prosecutors claim they have plenty of evidence to show Kang Byung-kyu online gambling activity. 

Vitamine producers have said they are replacing Kang.