The illicit use of cash from an illegal gambling operation by Mathew Bowyer is resulting in further consequences for the former bookie, who was at the heart of a gambling scandal.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has voted in favor of recommending Bowyer to be placed on the state’s List of Excluded Persons, also known as the “black book.” The black book excludes its listed members from entering and playing at Nevada casinos. The list places a permanent ban on the individuals, potentially ending Bowyer’s chances of gambling at the casinos where he used funds from his illegal gambling operation to wager.
“Normally, I wouldn’t give much airtime to this particular individual in this particular setting,” said NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer. “However, I think it’s important to note that today the board takes an action that goes to the very core and the heart of Nevada’s gaming regulatory mission: the protection of the integrity of gaming, the confidence of the public and the reputation of the state as a gold standard for gaming regulation.”
The NGCB voted 3-0 in favor of banning Bowyer from Nevada casinos, but one more step is needed for the California native to officially be placed on the List of Excluded Persons. The Nevada Gaming Commission must also vote on whether to add Bowyer to the list.
If approved by the commission, Bowyer would be the 38th person listed in the black book. He would be the first person since April 2024 to be approved for the exclusion list.
Bowyer has the opportunity to appeal an official black book placement. The former bookie can request a hearing with Nevada regulators, which is poised to be held through online video as he serves a 12-month and one day federal prison sentence in California. According to the NGCB, a hearing on the matter could take place before April 1.
Bowyer is scheduled to be released on Aug. 16.
Bowyer’s illegal gambling operation gets discovered
Bowyer’s bookmaking business was exposed after his client, Ippei Mizuhara, was arrested for stealing nearly $17 million from MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts with Bowyer. Mizuhara worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers as Ohtani’s Japanese interpreter and illegally sent multiple $500,000 payments from Ohtani’s account to Bowyer.
Ohtani’s bank statements led to a probe into Mizuhara and his ties to Bowyer. The investigation led to a raid of Bowyer’s home by federal authorities, ultimately resulting in his arrest and sanctions against several Las Vegas casinos for allowing Bowyer to gamble without verifying his source of funds, which derived from his illegal gambling operation.
Resorts World reached a $10.5 million settlement with the NGCB for a failure to meet the standards of its anti-money laundering program, while Caesars settled for $7.8 million.
Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison for federal bank and fraud charges.
Another former bookie recommended for black book
Wayne Nix, another former bookie who used illicit funds to gamble at Nevada casinos, has also been recommended for placement on the List of Excluded Persons. His actions led to MGM Resorts reaching an $8.5 million settlement with Nevada gambling regulators.
At MGM Resorts, Nix gambled more than $4 million of illegal proceeds in four years.
Nix pled guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and filing a false tax return for his illegal gambling operation. The former MLB player will be sentenced in March.
