Ohtani’s Former Interpreter Reportedly Paid off Bookie Through Resorts World

A new report by ESPN has revealed the potential method by which Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, paid off his gambling debts.

According to the report, Mizuhara paid off his gambling debts by making a series of deposits of up to $500,000 into marker accounts at Resort World casinos based in Las Vegas and California.

Those accounts were reportedly linked to an associate of bookmaker Matthew Bowyer, who's under federal investigation. 

The report states that Mizurhara funneled the funds through Resorts World in Las Vegas and Pechanga Resort Casino in Southern California. Some of the funds were then forwarded to Bowyer, and the money was turned into playing chips, used to bet, and eventually cashed out.

Investigation ongoing

Mizuhara is accused of stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani to help pay off $40.7 million of his gambling debts. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the allegations.

The DOJ has stated that Ohtani was not involved in sports betting. If convicted, Mizuhara could face up to a 30-year sentence for bank fraud. 

Neither Bowyer nor his associate has been named in any indictments yet. However, federal agents raided Bowyer’s home in October 2023 and found evidence linking him to bookmaking. As a result, Bowyer is banned from entering casinos across America.

Bowyer's ties to Resorts World

ESPN reports that Bowyer has a long history with casinos, both for business reasons and recreational use. He's known as a "whale" in betting circles for his high-stakes gambling.

Bowyer reportedly lost nearly $8 million at Resorts World from June 2022 through October 2023. Bowyer, his wife, friends, and associates made regular trips to Resorts World, gambling millions of dollars and being treated to dinners, shows, and other perks. 

Resorts World is also reportedly under federal investigation for “illegal sports bookmaking organizations operating in Southern California, and the laundering of the proceeds of these operations through casinos in Las Vegas.”

Twelve people with ties to Resorts World have already been charged or convicted, according to ESPN, and two Vegas casinos have agreed to pay fines.

Resorts World was served a federal subpoena in August 2023 in an attempt to discover documents related to its anti-money laundering policies.

Mizuhara's relationship with Bowyer

Federal authorities haven't revealed many details about Mizuhara's relationship with Bowyer, which is believed to date back to December 2021. However, IRS special agent Tyler Hatcher told ESPN that it was “typical” behavior of a bookie.

"They're salesmen, right?" he said, according to ESPN. "Their job is to ... try to get them to continue to play. That's what I saw. Just another salesman continuing to say, 'Oh, it's OK.' You know, 'we'll get it next time.'"

The DOJ found that Mizuhara wagered $182,935,206, totaling $142,256,769 in losing bets. Authorities found that Mizuhara, who turned himself in on April 12, sent multiple texts to Bowyer, including one in which he said: “It’s over for me."