Illegal Bookmaker Pleads Guilty in Ohtani Betting Scandal

One of the biggest US sports betting scandals finally got some closure in California this week.

Former illegal bookie Mathew Bowyer has agreed to plead guilty for his role in the betting scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter. The Orange County man was charged with operating an illegal sportsbook, money laundering, and falsifying tax returns. Those charges carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

As part of his decision to plead guilty, Bowyer admitted to having over 700 clients for his illegal sportsbook and earning over $2,000 per day. He also shared that one of his clients was a professional baseball player for a Southern California team, while another was a former minor league player. 

While neither player Bowyer accused was named, the issue will likely lead to another MLB investigation. Athletes betting on sports continues to plague pro and college sports leagues, so it is unlikely that Boyer’s claim will be ignored.

The betting scandal will now be resolved, with Ohtani’s former interpreter pleading guilty to federal charges in June. 

Bowyer will officially submit his guilty plea on August 9.

Punishment Could Send Message to Illegal Bookies

The question now is what punishment Bowyer will receive for his role in the scandal. While his decision to comply with the prosecution likely means he expects a lighter sentence, things may not be that simple.

Many states have begun to crack down on illegal sports betting. The effort has been centered around offshore bookmakers like Bovada, who has been dealing with an influx of cease-and-desist letters from states in the US. The offshore bookmaker has complied with requests to exit those states, setting a precedent for others to follow suit.

The Ohtani betting scandal has now highlighted illegal bookmakers in the US. These operators are more challenging to identify and track, so prosecutors may start handing out larger punishments if the accused is unwilling to cooperate.

The punishment Bowyer receives could set the tone for how markets deal with illegal bookies going forward. Any leniency in exchange for names of clients could also deter athletes and other bettors from using illegal bookies, helping to curb the problem as America’s legal sports betting market continues to grow.