New Details Emerge About Alleged Gambling Network Behind Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara Scandal
If you were curious about what exactly happened to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s money after it was allegedly stolen by his former handler, Ippei Mizuhara, a new report from ESPN’s Tisha Thompson has shed new light on the situation.
The man at the center of the alleged illegal gambling ring that received Ohtani’s money was Mathew Bowyer, who has been under investigation by federal authorities since last year. Ohtani only became involved in the scandal when authorities noticed his banking information among payments to Bowyer.
Mizuhara allegedly funneled weekly payments of $500,000 from Ohtani’s bank account to a Bowyer associate to cover his illegal gambling losses. ESPN reports that the associate would then deposit the money into accounts at Resorts World, a Las Vegas casino opening in 2021, and Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
Bowyer and his partner would then convert the money into chips, play with them, and cash out if they won. Bowyer reportedly lost $7.9 million at Resorts World from June 2022 to October 2023, during which time he was receiving money from Mizuhara.
It’s all apparently part of a much larger trend in the gambling world that illegal Southern California bookies are using Las Vegas casinos to launder money. Twelve people were reportedly charged and convicted, while two Vegas casinos agreed to pay fines.
There is even a tangential connection to LeBron James. Los Angeles Lakers star Maverick Carter’s friend and business partner reportedly admitted late last year that he bet on NBA games through an illegal sportsbook. ESPN reports that bookmaker Wayne Nix has since pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business and filing a false tax return. NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and former MLB star Yasiel Puig also reportedly made bets through Nix.
In Bowyer’s case, he reportedly had more than 600 punters and was known as a Las Vegas whale, with a reputation for bringing in between $250,000 and $1 million with him two or three times a month.
Where is the Shohei Ohtani scandal currently?
As far as Ohtani, the Dodgers and MLB are concerned, the Ippei Mizuhara situation is in the rearview mirror.
Mizuhara turned himself in on a federal bank fraud charge earlier this month and is currently free on $25,000 bail. His lawyer released a statement shortly afterward, indicating Mizuhara’s desire to make a deal with prosecutors rather than go to trial, in which he would face up to 30 years in prison:
Today, Mr. Mizuhara voluntarily surrendered, made his first appearance and was released on bail, as agreed with the government. It continues to cooperate with the legal process and hopes to reach an agreement with the government to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that it can fulfill its responsibilities.
He wishes to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball and his family. As the court noted, he is also eager to seek treatment for his gambling. We have no further comment at this time, but Mr. Mizuhara will provide further comment as the process progresses. judicial will move forward.
To date, no agreement has materialized, but that does not mean negotiations are not taking place.
Meanwhile, MLB released a statement acknowledging that authorities view Ohtani as a victim, leaving them with little to investigate.
This is about the most positive outcome Ohtani and his people could have hoped for after his name appeared on the register of an illegal bookmaker, but the situation remains very sad. It became clear that Mizuhara was both very close to Ohtani and suffered from massive gambling addiction issues.
Now Ohtani is focusing on baseball again, while Mizuhara sorts out an unenviable legal situation.
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