The Nevada Gaming Commission has unanimously agreed to include Mathew Bowyer on the state’s List of Excluded Persons, commonly referred to as the “Black Book,” permanently preventing him from accessing casinos throughout Nevada.
Bowyer, a resident of Southern California and a former illegal bookmaker, now ranks as the 39th individual on the list. This action comes in light of his connections to a notable gambling scandal involving Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Investigations by federal and Nevada authorities into money laundering resulted in substantial fines exceeding $30 million for various Las Vegas Strip casinos and their executives. Bowyer was implicated in these cases alongside other illegal bookmakers. Specifically, fines for MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Palace, and Resorts World tallied over $30 million.
Commissioner Brian Krolicki described the enforcement action as “crucial for closure on this compliance issue” and criticized Bowyer for undermining the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry.
Bowyer did not attend or challenge the hearing, which was convened in Las Vegas, with remote participation available from Carson City.
In a statement to Gambling.com, Bowyer accepted full accountability for his actions and the Commission’s decision. He expressed a desire for personal growth and a commitment to rejuvenating his life with “integrity, family, and purpose.”
During the session, Nevada Deputy Attorney General Nona Lawrence revealed that Bowyer ran an illegal sports betting operation from 2014 to 2023, with a clientele of at least 700 individuals who wagered millions. Among them, Mizuhara reportedly placed bets totaling $324 million, suffering losses amounting to $41 million.
Mizuhara is currently serving nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud related to the embezzlement of approximately $17 million from Ohtani, according to the Associated Press. Major League Baseball later cleared Ohtani of any misconduct, confirming he was a victim in the matter.
“Mr. Bowyer frequently visited Las Vegas casinos, utilizing illicit funds from his illegal operations to gamble and settle casino markers,” Lawrence stated during the hearing. “He also recruited new clients from casino marketing hosts, often offering commissions for referrals, and solicited valet staff and other casino workers for additional clients.”
Bowyer entered a guilty plea in May 2024 to federal charges, including the operation of an illegal gambling business, tax fraud, and money laundering. He was sentenced in August 2025 to one year and a day in federal prison and required to pay $1.6 million in restitution to the IRS.
He began serving his sentence in October 2025 at a federal facility in Lompoc, California, and was transitioned to a halfway house in March 2026. He is currently under home confinement.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board had previously recommended Bowyer for inclusion on the Black Book, requiring the Commission’s final approval.
In a separate ruling, the Commission unanimously voted 5-0 to deny Francis “Little Frankie” Citro’s request for removal from the Black Book. Citro, who has been listed since 1991 due to felony convictions related to counterfeit credit cards and racketeering, saw his attorney argue that he no longer poses a threat, pointing out that past affiliates, including Tony Spilotro, are deceased.
Commissioner Abbi Silver clarified that while Citro cannot access major casinos, he remains allowed to perform and gamble at smaller, gaming-restricted venues throughout Nevada.
Citro’s appeal marked the first instance of a living individual attempting removal from the Black Book; previously, only deceased individuals have been taken off the list.