Nearly one year after Matt Bowyer pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges, the well-known bookmaker is expected to return to the courthouse for the final phase of his sports betting case. Sources indicate that Bowyer will likely face sentencing late next month, following an agreement reached between his attorneys and the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. This agreement accelerates the timeline for the hearing, which had been postponed twice before.
In August 2024, Bowyer admitted guilt to three federal charges, which included running an illegal gambling operation, as well as transactional money laundering and tax evasion. Had this case gone to trial, he could have received a prison sentence of up to 18 years.
An exact sentencing date may be established next week, with no comments offered by the US Attorney's Office on the matter. Bowyer has been recognized as one of the country’s largest illegal bookmakers, managing over 700 clients at the peak of his operations.
Last July, a complaint was filed against Bowyer, shortly after Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud. Mizuhara was found to have embezzled around $17 million from Ohtani, while he still owes approximately $23 million in gambling debts to Bowyer.
Following Bowyer's plea, his attorney Diane Bass discussed the potential for reduced sentencing based on cooperative behavior with prosecutors. Despite this, updates suggest the new agreement may lead to a slightly increased sentencing range.
Bowyer expressed his acknowledgment of the serious consequences of his actions. “I was running a big operation, I knew the risks,” he stated, noting that the size of his family makes the prospect of prison particularly difficult.
Recent developments include a report that Hard Rock International has suspended executive Alex Pariente amid allegations of anti-money laundering violations at their Punta Cana casino. Bowyer is known to have gambled at this resort from time to time.
In March, the Nevada Gaming Commission imposed a fine of $10.5 million on Resorts World Las Vegas due to various regulatory violations, including a series of anti-money laundering infractions that allegedly involved some bookmakers, including Bowyer. His gambling history at the casino spans roughly 15 months and includes losses exceeding $7.9 million.
Bowyer’s connections extend to MGM Grand, which reportedly banned him from their property in 2018 after numerous gambling incidents. As investigations into various casinos continue, the federal probe into Genting, the owner of Resorts World Las Vegas, remains unresolved.
Bowyer recently attended an Angels-Diamondbacks game, marking his first appearance at an MLB venue since the scandal emerged. Shohei Ohtani is set to participate in the upcoming All-Star Game on Tuesday.
