Larry Henry

It was a gambling scandal that made national headlines, involved one of baseball’s biggest superstars, and exposed a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting operation. In 2024, the world learned that Ippei Mizuhara, longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, had stolen nearly $17 million from the baseball player to pay off gambling debts. At the center of the scandal was another name: Mathew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker behind the scandal. Bowyer pleaded guilty to federal charges of operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and filing false tax returns. He was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, ultimately serving about half that time. But his story didn't end there. In April 2026, Bowyer was added to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s List of Excluded Persons, better known as the “Black Book,” which bars designated individuals from entering Nevada’s licensed casinos. Once associated with notorious organized crime figures such as Tony Spilotro and Sam Giancana, the list now includes Bowyer. Today, Bowyer is back home, serving a two-year probation that prohibits him from gambling. He has written books, launched an online television channel, and spoken publicly about the dangers of gambling addiction. As sports betting becomes increasingly accessible through smartphones, television advertising, and online platforms, Bowyer is raising questions about an industry he once operated in illegally. In a recent interview with The Mob Museum, Bowyer reflected on his past, his controversial inclusion in Nevada’s Black Book, and what he believes needs to change in the sports betting industry. Read the full story here: themobmuseum.org/blog/former…