The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is filled with unresolved mysteries. And the bookmaker at its center has stepped up to share some fascinating observations. The sports world has been captivated by the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal, an unusual and troubling story unfolding rapidly. At its core, Ohtani’s trusted interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was accused of stealing millions from the baseball star to fund his severe gambling addiction. But there appears to be more to the story. As the man on the other side of these unlawful bets has finally spoken out.

As this betting scandal unfolds further, new insights have emerged. Mathew Bowyer, the bookmaker involved in these unlawful bets, has shared his story. Admitting to running an underground gambling operation, one of the largest in the country, he added yet another layer of mystery to an already complex story. “My life was like the ‘Wolf of Wall Street,’ but if Shohei’s name wasn’t involved in this, nobody would give a f*** about me,” said Bowyer. And he’s right on point. What made the whole thing more complicated and intense was the involvement of Ohtani’s interpreter.

Ippei Mizuhara was more than just Ohtani’s interpreter—he was also his confidant, conditioning coach, and throwing partner. Their bond was so close that Mizuhara often spent more time with Ohtani than with his own family. In fact, the accusations of betrayal are particularly shocking given their strong bond. That’s why, Bowyer doubts the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ two-way star’s involvement, as he shared with USA Today.

“I know the whole world wants to know, but to this day, I truly don’t know. They are the only two people in the world who really know the truth, Shohei and Ippei,” Bowyer admitted. “I truly believe that Shohei doesn’t gamble, but I think he knew some area of demise with Ippei, just maybe not to that extent.” Finding whether or not Bowyer’s words hold any weight is a long shot. For now, he faces up to 18 years in prison but hopes for a reduced sentence of 17 to 37 months due to his cooperation with authorities.

After being found guilty, Mizuhara was charged with bank fraud and tax evasion, leading to a guilty plea. In February 2025, Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. He’s also ordered to pay Ohtani $17 million in restitution. However, these developments have left fans and experts questioning how much Ohtani knew about Mizuhara’s activities. 

Shohei Ohtani denies involvement in interpreter’s gambling scandal

Ohtani has firmly denied having any knowledge of or involvement in Mizuhara’s gambling operations. At a news conference, Ohtani said he had never bet on sports and learned about Mizuhara’s indebtedness only after it became public. He stated that he was a victim of Mizuhara’s dishonesty, despite their close friendship. The baseball diamond is not always a sanctuary; even trusted relationships in the dugout can lead to betrayal.

The controversy has the potential to cast a shadow over Ohtani’s remarkable career. Renowned for his exceptional dual-role performance, Ohtani’s reputation took a hit as doubts about his possible involvement emerged. However, his stance was clear: “Up until a couple of days ago, I did not know this was happening… I do want to make it clear that I never bet on sports or have willfully sent money to the bookmaker.”

In the aftermath, Ohtani expressed his desire to move forward from this incident and focus on his field performance. Having learned valuable lessons from this betrayal, he has taken steps to guarantee closer management of his financial and personal affairs. Fans and analysts are eager to see how this experience will shape his future choices. And most importantly, whether he can maintain his status among baseball’s most brilliant talents.

Since this controversy, the league has emphasized the need for thorough background checks and monitoring mechanisms. As a measure to prevent similar incidents in the future. This situation has sparked discussions about whether players should take greater control over their financial affairs and carefully vet those they entrust with such responsibilities. Whether the league and its prodigy, Ohtani, can completely recover from the upheaval remains a question that only time can answer.