Fate of California Bookmaker Matt Bowyer on the Horizon
California bookmaker Matt Bowyer, who reportedly accepted around $325 million in bets facilitated by Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, is set to face sentencing next month.
Almost a year after Bowyer admitted guilt to charges of federal money laundering, he will likely appear again in a Southern California courtroom for the culminating proceedings of an extraordinary sports betting saga.
Bowyer, recognized as one of the largest illegal bookmakers in the U.S., is now prepared to receive his sentence at the end of next month, following an expedited agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Initial expectations pointed to an October date for sentencing, but delays from earlier hearings have shifted the timeline.
In August 2022, Bowyer entered a guilty plea on federal charges, which included operating an illegal gambling business alongside allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. Had he chosen to proceed to trial, the stakes could have included a daunting 18-year prison sentence.
Sources indicate that a specific sentencing date might be announced soon, although a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office chose not to comment.
A High-Stakes Operation
Bowyer was at the helm of a sprawling betting operation that, at its peak, served over 700 clients across the nation. His legal troubles escalated last year when authorities lodged a complaint against him shortly after Ippei Mizuhara—Ohtani’s past interpreter—pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud.
Mizuhara confessed to embezzling nearly $17 million from the MLB star, and even after repaying part of his gambling debts to Bowyer, he still owes approximately $23 million. It’s widely believed that these debts may never be settled.
After entering his plea, Bowyer’s attorney, Diane Bass, offered insights about potential sentencing outcomes. According to Bass, cooperation with prosecutors in exchange for leniency could have lessened his sentence to a range between 30 to 37 months. However, the revised agreement suggests that the sentence might be on the higher side.
"Mr. Bowyer is eager to take responsibility for his actions," Bass relayed. "He looks forward to moving on from this difficult chapter."
When reached for comment, Bowyer acknowledged the severity of his situation: “I was running a big operation. I understand the risks and have to face the consequences."
The Personal Impact
Illegal sports betting thrives in Southern California, with many bookmakers operating under 50. Bowyer, however, carries the weight of familial obligations, with his wife and five children depending on him.
“Nobody aspires to end up in prison,” he reflected. “As a devoted father, the thought of being separated from my kids is incredibly hard to bear.”
Adding complexity to Bowyer’s situation, recent reports surfaced regarding Hard Rock International suspending executive Alex Pariente due to potential anti-money laundering violations. Bowyer frequented the Hard Rock Punta Cana casino, as indicated by multiple sources.
Connections to Las Vegas
The details surrounding Bowyer’s agreement with prosecutors remain ambiguous. In March, Resorts World Las Vegas faced a $10.5 million penalty for numerous regulatory lapses related to anti-money laundering. Bowyer reportedly gambled at this Las Vegas venue over 80 times and suffered losses exceeding $7.9 million. His plea also involved the transfer of substantial funds to a casino that is widely believed to be Resorts World.
Despite deriving income from the illegal gambling sector, it appears that regulatory adjustments were made at the casino level to obscure Bowyer’s financial sources.
Bowyer had additional ties to the MGM Grand, having placed wagers there over 300 times before the casino ultimately banned him.
Future Directions
In the wake of previous settlements, Nevada state regulators have also addressed allegations linked to other bookies, such as Wayne Nix. These situations underscore the ongoing scrutiny facing the gaming industry concerning compliance with federal regulations.
Though progress has been made in various legal matters, there have been few indications that federal investigations involving Genting will conclude shortly.
Meanwhile, Damien Leforbes, another bookmaker involved in the Resorts World Las Vegas situation, awaits sentencing for similar charges.
Recently, Bowyer attended a baseball game between the Angels and Diamondbacks—the first time he returned to a Major League Baseball venue since his legal troubles became public. As Ohtani prepares to lead off in the upcoming All-Star Game, the intertwining fates of these figures continue to evolve.