Notorious US Illegal Bookie, Who Has Ties with MLB Star Shohei Ohtani, Imprisoned

Matt Bowyer, one of the biggest illegal bookies in the US, went to a prison in Lompoc, California, to serve a year-long term.

High-stakes bookmaker Matt Bowyer formally reported to federal prison in California to begin a one-year sentence, culminating a tumultuous legal saga that’s drawn attention across the sports betting world.

Bowyer, a notorious illegal bookmaker and professional gambler, was ordered to surrender to FCI Lompoc, a minimum-security federal facility about 60 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. His surrender marks the latest chapter in a high-profile scandal involving tens of millions of dollars in illicit wagers.

Crimes & Connections

The charges against Bowyer include operating an illegal gambling enterprise, transactional money laundering, and filing false tax statements. Though prosecutors initially sought a sentence between 15 and 21 months, the judge ultimately imposed a 12-month term. Before sentencing, Bowyer paid over US$1.5 million in restitution.

Part of the case revolves around Bowyer’s dealings with Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB star and the owner of the second-biggest contract in the world of sports (at the time of signing in 2023, it was the record-breaking deal), Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara embezzled nearly US$17 million from the no. 1-ranked contender to claim the NL MVP title in the ongoing season of the most popular baseball league in the world (according to the odds of betting sites in dollars) to repay gambling debts owed to Bowyer. Mizuhara already received a much harsher sentence (57 months) and is incarcerated in Pennsylvania. Importantly, Ohtani was cleared by both MLB and federal authorities of any wrongdoing in the matter.

Bowyer’s Public Push Before Prison

In the months leading to his incarceration, Bowyer launched a heavy media campaign promoting a personal rebranding project called “Recalibrate.” Over a 45-day period, he appeared on nearly 100 podcasts and made numerous broadcast appearances. His aim was to reshape his public narrative ahead of surrendering to prison.

On Instagram, he posted a video driving toward the prison and admitted the mental strain ahead. “Anxiety is high,” he said, though he struck a defiant tone: “I’m proud of everything I accomplished in life.” He also acknowledged the difficulty of being apart from family—prison rules permit his wife, Nicole Bowyer, only three visitation days per month.

The night before surrendering, Bowyer and his wife stayed at the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel in Montecito, costing nearly US$2,000 a night. He later thanked a podcaster guest for covering the stay.

Prison Plans & Possible Release

Bowyer’s year in prison will be markedly different from his prior high-roller lifestyle; reports suggest he earned over US$150 million in casino comps over three decades in Las Vegas.

While behind bars, Bowyer told media he plans to keep busy: working out (he’s accustomed to three sessions per day), reading, possibly writing another book, and generally trying to rebuild. He also aims to travel post-release to warn athletes against gambling pitfalls.

Because of good conduct, “statutory credits” in the California penal system, Bowyer could reduce his effective sentence by up to 20%. This opens the possibility of release by August 1, 2026—the second anniversary of his plea—or even earlier, possibly via home confinement or halfway house transfer.

Sports Betting and Casino Worlds Shaken by Bowyer Case

The Bowyer case has shaken the sports betting and casino world. At the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E), compliance and regulatory scrutiny generated intense discussion. Resorts World Las Vegas, part of the broader case, agreed to a US$10.5 million settlement with the Nevada Gaming Commission, one of the largest in state history.

Meanwhile, several other California bookmakers—including Wayne Nix, Damien LeForbes, and Christopher Scott King—still await sentencing. Also, executives in Las Vegas have not escaped fallout: Scott Sibella, former president at Resorts World Las Vegas, was terminated for failing to file a suspicious activity report and later received probation.

The Bowyer saga underscores ongoing tensions around integrity, oversight, and financial regulation in the U.S. sports betting ecosystem. The case remains a cautionary tale—especially for those woven into high-stakes gambling networks.