ESPN Podcast Revisits Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal as Illegal Bookmaker Speaks Out

New details surrounding the gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, continue to emerge through ESPN’s new 30 for 30 podcast series, The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani. The series includes interviews with Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who says it became apparent within weeks that Mizuhara had developed a serious gambling problem after placing thousands of wagers through Bowyer’s illegal betting operation. According to Bowyer, Mizuhara quickly escalated from modest bets to high-dollar wagering, ultimately accumulating millions of dollars in losses. Federal prosecutors later determined Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account to repay those gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax-related charges and is currently serving a 57-month federal prison sentence while also being ordered to pay restitution to Ohtani and the IRS. Ohtani was never charged with any crime, and federal investigators concluded he was the victim of the theft.

Recapping the Ohtani Betting Scandal

The scandal first became public in March 2024 during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season-opening trip to South Korea. Initially, Mizuhara told ESPN that Ohtani had agreed to help repay his gambling debts. Within 24 hours, however, Mizuhara recanted that account after Ohtani’s attorneys stated their client had been the victim of “massive theft.” Federal investigators later determined Mizuhara had impersonated Ohtani during calls with his bank, changed security settings on the account, and transferred millions of dollars without Ohtani’s knowledge. The Dodgers immediately fired Mizuhara, ending a partnership that had lasted more than a decade. The ESPN podcast revisits those events through newly released audio recordings and interviews with investigators, reporters and Bowyer, offering additional insight into how the illegal gambling operation functioned and how Mizuhara’s addiction spiraled out of control.

Ohtani Continues One of Baseball’s Greatest Runs

While the scandal dominated headlines in 2024, Ohtani has continued to cement his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time great players. Since signing his record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season, Ohtani has remained among the game’s premier stars as both a hitter and pitcher. He helped lead Los Angeles to a World Series championship early in his Dodgers tenure and continues to rank among the favorites in National League MVP betting while also drawing Cy Young interest whenever he returns to regular pitching duties. Ohtani remains one of the biggest attractions in Major League Baseball and is once again near the top of sportsbooks‘ MVP futures betting entering the stretch run of the 2026 season.

Dodgers Remain World Series Contenders

Despite fierce competition throughout the National League, the Dodgers continue to be listed among the favorites to win another World Series. Typical futures odds at major regulated sportsbooks currently place Los Angeles around:

• World Series: +350
• National League Pennant: +180
• National League West: -350

As long as Ohtani remains healthy, oddsmakers continue to view Los Angeles as one of baseball’s deepest and most complete rosters.

Illegal Gambling vs. Regulated Sports Betting

The investigation surrounding Mizuhara centered on an illegal underground gambling operation, not a licensed sportsbook or federally regulated prediction market. Bowyer admitted to operating an unlicensed bookmaking business that accepted wagers outside state gaming laws. Customers had none of the consumer protections found at licensed operators, including responsible gaming tools, age verification, financial safeguards, regulatory oversight, dispute resolution procedures and tax reporting requirements. Bowyer later pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering and filing a false tax return. By contrast, regulated sportsbooks in states where sports betting is legal must comply with extensive state licensing requirements, integrity monitoring, anti-money laundering rules and responsible gaming standards. Likewise, federally regulated prediction market exchanges operate under oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and follow separate federal compliance requirements. The distinction remains important. The Ohtani case was not tied to legal sportsbooks or regulated prediction markets. Instead, it involved an illegal bookmaking operation that operated outside the protections and oversight required by licensed gambling operators in the United States.