Matt Bowyer Faces August Sentencing in Ohtani-Mizuhara Gambling Scandal

Originally scheduled for October, the sentencing for Bowyer, who pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and tax evasion, ends a critical chapter in one of the largest sports betting scandals in recent U.S. history.

With a client list exceeding 700 and wagers totaling $325 million, Bowyer’s operation drew national attention due to its ties to Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter, who stole $17 million from the baseball star to cover gambling debts.

Guilty Plea and Charges

In August 2023, Bowyer, 49, admitted guilt to three federal charges in a Santa Ana, California, courtroom: running an illegal gambling operation, transactional money laundering, and filing false tax returns. “I was running a big operation, I knew the risks. I have to be a man and deal with it,” Bowyer told iGB, expressing relief at taking responsibility.

Facing up to 18 years in prison, his attorney, Diane Bass, initially suggested a reduced sentence of 30 to 37 months due to cooperation with authorities.

However, the new agreement may result in a slightly harsher penalty. Bowyer’s operation, spanning Southern California and Las Vegas, handled bets from over 700 clients, including Mizuhara, who placed 19,000 wagers, accruing $40 million in debts.

Connection to Ohtani and Mizuhara

The scandal erupted when Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter, admitted to embezzling $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to pay Bowyer for gambling losses. Mizuhara, sentenced to 57 months in prison, still owes Bowyer an estimated $23 million, unlikely to be repaid.

Federal investigations by the DOJ and MLB cleared Ohtani of any involvement, declaring him a victim of fraud. Despite this, conspiracy theories persist, fueled by figures like former MLB manager Ozzie Guillen, who falsely claimed, “Everyone knows that Shohei Ohtani gambled and was protected,” in a Puro Beisbol interview.

Bowyer, who never met Ohtani, maintained he dealt only with Mizuhara, often via text or in-person meetings that began at a 2021 San Diego poker game.

Bowyer’s money laundering activities implicated major Las Vegas casinos. Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) faced a $10.5 million fine from the Nevada Gaming Commission, the second-largest in state history, for allowing Bowyer to gamble 80 times over 15 months, losing $7.9 million, and failing to verify his funds’ source.

Bowyer funneled at least $9.34 million to “Casino A” (widely believed to be RWLV). His wife, Nicole, employed as his personal host at RWLV, earned $165,000 in 2022 and $501,000 in 2023 in commissions, later accepting a five-year ban on her agent license. MGM Resorts was fined $8.5 million for similar violations, having allowed Bowyer to wager 300 times before banning him in 2018.