Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged bank fraud. The case has brought to light the frightfulness of compulsive gambling.
Ippei Mizuhara stands accused of illegally funneling over 16 million dollars (about 2.45 billion yen) to illegally operating bookmakers from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off debts. Based on his fraudulent tactics, the department considers Ohtani to be a victim.
Before being fired by the Dodgers, Mizuhara reportedly confessed to teammates about his gambling disorder. The true state of affairs uncovered by the investigation is enough to raise eyebrows. Over a two-year period from December 2021, he placed around 19,000 bets, averaging 25 per day. His winnings are estimated to have totaled $142 million (approx. 21.8 billion yen), but his losses over $183 million (roughly 28 billion yen).
Betting on familiar and popular sports is an all too easy way to fall into a gambling habit. With instant data analysis made possible by digital technologies, bets can be placed not only on games’ outcomes, but on individual players’ achievements and other aspects.
The ability to easily wager through a smartphone or PC, without going to a casino, increases the risk of developing a gambling addiction. Once they fall into the gambling trap, individuals lose self-control. In countless cases, gamblers have been left saddled with debt and their family relationships have been destroyed.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing sports betting at states’ discretion. At present, it is legal in 38 of 50 states.
It’s believed that in places where sports betting remains illegal, such as the Dodgers’ home base of California, illegally operating bookies fill the gap.
In the U.S. and Europe, there have been many reports of sports gambling cases in which famous sports athletes are believed to have been involved. If athletes bet on their own games, it could lead to match-fixing, throwing the fairness of the games into question.
In Japan, an economy ministry research group and others are debating lifting the ban on sports betting, and instead using tax revenues from businesses to promote sports.
However, there is data that suggests Japan has a higher proportion of people with suspected gambling disorders than other countries. The risks they face must not be discounted.