A Southern California bookmaker connected to the gambling scandal that rocked MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s inner circle has officially been sentenced.
Mathew Bowyer, 50, was handed a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty to operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. He was also ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution to the IRS; a debt his lawyer confirmed has already been paid.
The case drew global attention after it was revealed that Bowyer’s high-profile clients included Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Earlier this year, Mizuhara was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover his massive gambling losses.
Federal prosecutors argued Bowyer’s gambling ring spanned at least five years, generating thousands of dollars daily and placing hundreds of millions in wagers. While prosecutors pushed for 15 months behind bars, U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb ultimately opted for a lighter sentence, citing Bowyer’s cooperation with investigators, his repayment of restitution, and his outreach efforts to others struggling with gambling addiction.
Still, the judge emphasized accountability. “Despite the significant mitigation, there are consequences for committing these crimes,” Holcomb said.
Authorities made clear that Ohtani himself was a victim in the case and had no involvement in the illegal betting. Bowyer even apologized for the superstar’s name being dragged into the headlines. “At the end of the day, he’s just an innocent guy playing baseball,” Bowyer told reporters.
Ohtani, now the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has publicly put the scandal behind him as he continues his career on the field. Bowyer, meanwhile, is scheduled to report to prison on October 10 and will serve two years of supervised release once his sentence is complete.