Conviction leads to collapse of California bookie’s business

Lea Hogg August 12, 2024

Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker, (pictured above), admitted to running an illegal gambling operation that ensnared over 700 bettors, including the former interpreter for baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani. Bowyer’s illicit operation spanned at least five years, extending from Southern California to Las Vegas.

Bowyer, 49, confessed to his crimes in a federal court in Santa Ana, pleading guilty to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return. His sentencing is scheduled for 7 February. “I was running an illegal gambling operation, laundering money through other people’s bank accounts,” Bowyer confessed to the judge.

Among Bowyer’s clientele was Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter. Mizuhara himself pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account. Federal investigators revealed that Mizuhara made approximately 19,000 wagers between September 2021 and January 2024. Despite his winnings totaling over $142 million, Mizuhara’s losing bets amounted to around $183 million, resulting in a net loss of nearly $41 million.

Interestingly, investigators found no evidence that Mizuhara had wagered on baseball. Furthermore, there was no indication that Ohtani was involved in or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling activities. Ohtani, who cooperated with investigators, is considered a victim in this case.

Bowyer’s other customers included a professional baseball player for a Southern California club and a former minor league player, although their identities were not disclosed in court filings.

Bowyer’s guilty pleas mark the latest scandal in sports betting this year. In a similar vein, Major League Baseball banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life and suspended four other players for betting on baseball legally. This marked the first time in a century that an active player was banned for life due to gambling.

The league’s gambling policy strictly prohibits players and team employees from wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers. The penalty is determined at the discretion of the commissioner’s office.