Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Faces Sentencing for Gambling
In a case that has rocked the world of professional sports, former Shohei Ohtani interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is facing a significant legal reckoning. US attorneys are recommending a “substantial period of incarceration” as Mizuhara prepares for his sentencing hearing on February 6, 2025. Documents released on January 30 indicate that Mizuhara, who served as the Japanese-language interpreter for the Los Angeles Angels’ star, stole $17 million (£13.7 million/€16.3 million) from Ohtani and participated in illegal gambling with a bookmaker.
Mizuhara’s gambling activities began on legal betting platforms, including DraftKings, in 2023, but these occurred after he had already stolen millions of dollars from Ohtani. Court filings suggest that Mizuhara’s actions were driven by greed, not a long-standing gambling addiction. Jeff Mitchell, the US attorney leading the government’s case, explicitly stated that there is no indication of a gambling addiction in Mizuhara’s behavior. Instead, the case presents him as a calculated thief rather than a victim of addiction.
While Mizuhara expressed remorse in a letter to the court, Mitchell cautioned that expressions of regret are commonplace at sentencing, and the true measure of remorse is whether the defendant is genuinely contrite or simply “sorry they were caught.”
Mizuhara’s illegal betting activities were facilitated through a connection with illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who is also facing charges related to the scandal. Bowyer is set to be sentenced in April 2025. This marks only the latest chapter in a wide-ranging illegal sports betting scandal involving several individuals, including former minor-league baseball player Wayne Nix. The group is accused of laundering money through casinos in Las Vegas and Southern California.
Mizuhara’s involvement is particularly high-profile due to his close association with Ohtani, a star whose global stature only amplifies the significance of the case. To date, former Las Vegas casino executive Scott Sibella is the only other individual involved in the scandal to have been sentenced.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Wyoming are facing a complex debate over online gambling. On January 30, two Wyoming tribes testified in opposition to a proposed statewide online gambling bill, warning that the expansion of digital gambling options has already hurt their revenue. The bill, which would legalize online gambling at a 16% tax rate and require a $100,000 permit fee, has been temporarily delayed until next week.
In Alabama, the gambling conversation is intensifying ahead of the state’s legislative session opening on February 4. With both supporters and opponents gearing up for a major push on gambling expansion, the outcome of this session could determine whether Alabama will join the growing list of states legalizing various forms of gambling, including online sports betting.
In the NBA, the growing illegal betting scandal may claim another high-profile athlete. Terry Rozier, currently a guard for the Miami Heat, is reportedly under investigation by federal authorities for unusual betting activity related to a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. The investigation highlights the ongoing concerns about integrity in professional sports as illegal betting rings continue to emerge.
In other gambling-related developments, a bill to legalize digital sports betting in Hawaii was referred to the house economic development committee on January 27. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, legislation aimed at banning unregulated online gambling platforms, including sweepstakes games, is making its way through the state legislature.
As gambling regulation continues to evolve across the United States and Canada, the repercussions of illegal activities like those committed by Mizuhara are being felt far beyond the courtroom, impacting the sports world and the legal landscape alike.