California Bookmaker Sentenced Prison Linked Ohtani Interpreter Gambling

Mathew Bowyer, a California bookmaker linked to Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for running an illegal sports betting operation, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. Bowyer's illegal sportsbook operated for at least five years, taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in bets from over 700 clients, including Mizuhara, who placed at least 19,000 bets and stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Bowyer has paid $1.6 million in restitution and will face two years of supervised release and gambling addiction counseling after his prison term. Prosecutors sought a 15-month sentence but agreed to a lighter punishment due to Bowyer's cooperation in investigations that led to convictions against Mizuhara and other bookmakers. Despite Bowyer's claims of remorse and a gambling addiction, the judge emphasized the need for prison time due to the severity of the tax fraud and criminal activities. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal sports betting in California and its impact on professional baseball.