It seems gambling has turned into a sport. Don’t be alarmed it’s just an observation. However while it seemed to be a matter of jokes and memes, Shohei Ohtani’s Ippei Mizuhara nightmare has raised eyebrows. After all, to see baseball’s biggest star be marred in the most unwanted controversy is quite a jarring experience. Perhaps it’s time to understand how deep this gambling problem goes.

Ironically, baseball is once against finding itself in a gambling situation. Historically, the worst sports gambling scandal in the US also happened in baseball in the 1919 World Series. Eight Chicago White Sox players were alleged to have knowingly lost the game after taking money. While all of them were banned, it nonetheless highlighted the risks of mixing gambling with sports. An issue that becomes even bigger when it involves someone of the stature of Shohei Ohtani.

The rise of sports gambling in American sports

USAToday’s Gabe Lacques wrote about how the gambling situation had arrived in baseball. With the MLB reportedly starting its probe on this matter, even more questions have come about regarding Ohtani’s situation with Mizuhara. For instance, how did Mizuhara get in $4.5 million worth of debt and how did the two transactions of $500,000 each get wired to the bookie mention Ohtani’s name?

But more importantly, Lacques highlighted how the rise of fantasy leagues and social media may have made concerned sports people reachable for bookies and gamblers. Case in point, March Madness. Historically, it has always been a favorite event of betters but now people are allegedly getting hounded by comments and calls from betters. Just how big does this gambling industry go?

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According to the American Gaming Association – Bettors are expected to legally wager $2.72 billion on 2024 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. What about 2023?

According to NPR, Americans spent $120 billion on sports gambling in 2023. This is a huge industry and slowly it has become mainstream. The fact that Mizuhara could gamble in a state (California) where it is illegal shows how deep the web goes. 

Now that baseball has come to its grips things are looking tough for America’s favorite pastime. It’s an alarming sign but more importantly a wake-up call for fans around the globe.

Could this situation drag on for the two-way phenom?

The fact that Mizuhara’s and Ohtani’s stories changed within mere hours is a concerning point for all parties involved. While one could speculate endlessly, currently the only truth is this – Ippei Mizuhara has been fired and is now being investigated. Ohtani’s name in two transactions is an issue. So is the fact that initially, Mizuhara said that it was Shotime who made the payment.

However, at least on the field, the fame and love for Ohtani hasn’t ended. It may even have increased if the Seoul Series is anything to go by. So while the Brand Ohtani might be able to wither this storm, how will the Person Shohei deal with it? More importantly, is this the end or is this just the tip of the iceberg in the connection of baseball and gambling?

Shohei Ohtani Faces Pressure in First Dodgers Season? Ippei Mizuhara Scandal Hangs Over $700 Million Superstar