A bookmaker in Southern California who accepted numerous sports bets from a former interpreter for baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani has been sentenced to just over a year in prison. Mathew Bowyer, now 50, admitted guilt a year ago to operating an illegal gambling enterprise, money laundering, and submitting a false tax return. He has been given a 12-month and one-day prison term, followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, he was directed to pay $1.6 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, an amount his attorney confirmed has already been settled.
Bowyer, expressing remorse, acknowledged his past erroneous decisions before his sentencing. Federal prosecutors sought a 15-month prison sentence for Bowyer’s involvement in a scheme that involved placing hundreds of millions of dollars in bets, yielding significant daily profits. Despite potential for a lengthier sentence, Bowyer received a reduced term due to his substantial cooperation with investigations.
Bowyer’s defense attorney, Diane Bass, advocated for leniency based on his profound acknowledgment of responsibility. In a written statement to the court, Bowyer revealed his history of gambling dating back to his teenage years, which eventually escalated beyond his control. The case against Bowyer is part of a broader federal investigation into illegal sports betting, which also led to the arrest of Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who is serving a nearly five-year sentence for bank and tax fraud.
Authorities revealed that Bowyer operated an illicit gambling operation for over five years across Southern California and Las Vegas, catering to more than 700 bettors, including Mizuhara. While Mizuhara’s winnings exceeded $142 million, with the funds deposited into his personal account rather than Ohtani’s, his losses totaled nearly $41 million. Mizuhara’s bets extended beyond baseball, and Ohtani was considered a victim in the situation.
Bowyer’s cooperation with investigators aided in the prosecution of Mizuhara and a major figure in a sports gambling enterprise, resulting in two convictions. Following his legal troubles, Bowyer has been addressing his gambling addiction and supporting others in similar struggles. He has already repaid $1.6 million in taxes, according to court documents.
Operating an unlicensed betting enterprise is a federal offense, with sports gambling prohibited in California while legalized in most other states and the District of Columbia. Recent sports-betting scandals have garnered attention, prompting Major League Baseball to enforce strict regulations against wagering on the sport. Past incidents, including the banning of players for betting infractions, have underscored the league’s zero-tolerance policy towards gambling.