Mizuhara sentencing pushed to 6 February
Sentencing for former Shohei Ohtani interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was moved from today (24 January) to 6 February, a California US Attorney’s Office announced yesterday (23 January). Mizuhara in June pled guilty to stealing $17 million (£13.6 million/€16.1 million) from Ohtani for illegal sports betting. He faces up to 33 years in prison on counts of bank fraud and subscribing to a fraudulent tax return. Mizuhara will be sentenced by Judge John Holcomb in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Mizuhara bet with illegal bookie Mathew Bowyer, whose sentencing is set for 4 April, also before Holcomb. Bowyer in August pled guilty to three federal charges surrounding his illegal bookmaking service, and faces up to 18 years in prison. His Southern California business had 700+ customers at its pinnacle.
Bowyer and Mizuhara are among five people charged thus far in a far-reaching Southern California sports betting scandal. Key player Wayne Nix was charged in 2022. He was initially set to be sentenced last March, but that date was pushed to 26 March in Los Angeles. Former poker player Damian Leforbes was charged for running an illegal sportsbook in August 2024. In that case, Judge Monica Ramirez Wednesday (21 January) ordered that Leforbes must forfeit cryptocurrency outlined by the US attorney as part of his plea. Leforbes pled guilty 17 October 2024 to two counts surrounding his illegal bookmaking business.
So far, only Scott Sibella, the Las Vegas casino executive, has been sentenced.
Kalshi now offering sports betting
The prediction market Kalshi, which was at the center of a legal dispute with the US Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) ahead of the 2024 presidential election, is now offering sports-betting contracts. Kalshi won the right to offer wagering on the presidential election last fall.
The CFTC and Kalshi remain at odds, but so far, the prediction company has won relevant court battles.
According to Covers, Kalshi Thursday (23 January) went live with an array of sports bets. Among them are contracts tied to the Super Bowl, NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the NHL Stanley Cup. The company revealed its intent to offer the contracts in a 22 January regulatory filing.
As of Friday morning, more than $216,000 had been wagered on the Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC Championship. Consumers favor Philadelphia, 71%-29%. The differential for the AFC Championship was closer, with 54% of bettors picking up contracts on the Kansas Chiefs, and 46% selecting the Buffalo Bills. More than $105,000 had been wagered on that game at time of publication.
Bet in the air?
A Connecticut bill filed 22 January would allow for legal betting on flights that originate or terminate at Connecticut airports. The proposal is the first of its kind in the US. According to the text of HB 6051, 1% of in-flight sports betting revenue would be earmarked to “support public education in the state’s rural and urban school districts”.
The bill comes on the heels of DraftKings and Delta Airlines announcing a deal that would allow bettors to use the DraftKings app during flights. For now, that deal could potentially allow bettors to earn Delta points through DraftKings, but wagering isn’t legal on flights.
US Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the authors of the SAFE Bet Act, criticised the partnership in a public letter to DraftKings CEO Jason Robins and Delta CEO Ed Bastain.
“This new partnership advances the proliferation of sports betting, further fueling a crisis of problem gambling”, the Connecticut senator wrote. “Betting companies have leveraged data collected on consumers to entice them through bonuses and promotions to hook them on this addictive product – resulting in a public health crisis that is producing huge costs in addiction, financial ruin, family disruption and much more. This partnership seems to be aimed at enticing the flying public – many of them possibly problem gamblers or recovering problem gamblers – to engage in a high-risk activity from their seatbacks, while in the air and unable to walk away”.
More fines coming in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) in 2022 banned betting on Russian and Belarusian sports events. But at a Thursday (23 January) meeting, it was revealed that Fanatics Sportsbook and FanDuel took bets on the Belarus national soccer team between March 2023-March 2024. Neither operator self-reported the bets. Rather, they were discovered during an audit by commission staff. The commission decided to refer the incidents to its Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, which will likely recommend fines for the sportsbooks.
When the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, the MGC instituted a ban on betting on any events tied to either country.
“To me, they didn’t address the fact that we have a prohibition on this, flat out”, commissioner Eileen O’Brien said. “They may have this other thing over here, but we said ‘don’t do it’ pretty clearly”.
Jai lai betting now live in Florida
Hard Rock bet 21 January announced the launch of betting on jai alai in Florida. Bettors can now wager on the World Jai-Alai League (WJAL) as well as stream events. The addition means that Hard Rock Bet in Florida now offers digital sports betting on more than 20 sports. The launch is the first of its kind in the US. The WJAL plays Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, according to a press release. Hard Rock Bet is offering WJAL betting through a partnership with the Magic City Casino in Miami.
In other news …
The Responsible Gaming Council Thursday (23 January) announced a partnership with the NFL through which it will roll out educational tools for responsible gambling at eight Canadian universities.
Virginia lawmakers decided 20 January to delay considering an igaming bill until 2026. Bill sponsor Mamie Locke said that after introducing the SB 827, sponsors have decided that “it requires further study”.
Hard Rock Bet 22 January announced that its sports betting and igaming platform is now connected to the company’s loyalty program, Hard Rock Unity. Gambling consumers can now earn points to be used for digital and on-property rewards.
ICYMI on iGB
California tribes won’t try for legal sports betting in ’26
ESPN Bet goes live in Washington, DC
Casinos, pro sports teams can create meaningful synergy
Details of Massachusetts bill that would raise tax to 51%, ban in-play betting
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/sports-betting/online-sports-betting/california-kalshi-massachusetts-state-of-the-union/
