Nevada Gaming Control Board Nominates Bookmaker Mathew Bowyer for Black Book

^{Mathew Bowyer as he leaves federal court in Santa Ana, California in August 2024. The bookmaker may be number 38 in Nevada's notorious Black Book. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP)}

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) nominated the convicted illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer for placement on the state’s List of Excluded Persons on Wednesday to permanently ban him from entering Nevada casinos.

The list, commonly known as the “Black Book,” is a rarely used enforcement tool that includes just 37 people in total currently.

Bowyer Took Bets From Ohtani Interpreter

In 2023, Bowyer pleaded guilty to federal charges including running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. He drew national attention when it was revealed that he had taken tens of millions of dollars in bets from Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

That wagering eventually led to Mizuhara being convicted of stealing around $16 million from Ohtani and being sentenced to four years in prison.

Bowyer has been serving a year and a day sentence in a Lompoc, California prison since Aug. 29, 2025. He is expected to be released from prison on Aug. 16, 2026. 

While Bowyer received a relatively light sentence due to his lack of prior criminal convictions and his cooperation with prosecutors, his impact on the Nevada gaming scene was significant. He was a figure in multiple cases in which Nevada casinos were fined for allowing known and suspected illegal bookmakers to bet large amounts, with Resorts World Las Vegas being assessed a fine of $10.5 million, while MGM Resorts International paid $8.5 million and Caesars Entertainment was docked $7.8 million.

"He knew what he was doing," NGCB member George Assad said. "He was ruining people's lives. He was tempting hosts with bribes if they would refer customers to him, knowing that they would probably be terminated if they were caught."

Assad said Bowyer could have a hearing by March. He could appear in person if allowed, appear via video, or be represented by an attorney. Nominees to the list often don’t seek a hearing, but are allowed one under Nevada gaming regulations. 

NGCB: Nomination Important for ‘Protection of Integrity of Gaming’

Given his involvement in so many scandals in and around the Nevada gaming industry, Gaming Control Board officials said Bowyer was a strong candidate for the black book. 

“Normally, I wouldn’t give much airtime to this particular individual in this particular setting,” NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer said on Wednesday. “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 integrity of gaming, the confidence of the public, and the reputation of the state as a gold standard for gaming regulation.”

According to Nevada Deputy Attorney General Nona Lawrence, Bowyer satisfies four criteria necessary to consider someone for the Black Book. He has been convicted of federal felonies, crimes involving “moral turpitude,” violations of California gaming laws, tax evasion, and has a reputation that would adversely impact public confidence and trust in the Nevada gaming industry.

The final ruling on Bowyer's fate in the Black Book will be made by the Nevada Gaming Commission. He legally must be notified of their decision.

Bowyer isn’t the only illegal bookmaker to recently be nominated for the Black Book. Former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix was nominated in December after he pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business andfiling a false tax return.