Southern California Bookies: Los Angeles, San Diego

Southern California bookies can stand to make some serious coin thanks to the wealthy clientele that place wagers in this region from San Diego up to Los Angeles and the cities in between.

Top sports teams from this region with significant fan bases include the likes of the San Diego Chargers, UCLA Bruins and both the LA Lakers and Clippers.  There is also the USC Trojans, who are among the top 10 teams with the shortest odds to win the College Football Championship.  Both the University of Southern California and UCLA are located in Los Angeles.

While California is not known for actively prosecuting bookies and makes their activity a misdemeanor, that hasn’t stopped law enforcement in the region from going after alleged bookmakers.

In 2012, FBI agents took down what was described as a violent international betting ring that brought in millions over the last decade.  There are of course added elements to this case beyond simple bookmaking.

In January of this year, the MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas casinos entered into settlements that require them to pay a combined $7.45 million, undergo external review, and enhance their anti-money laundering compliance program following an investigation by the Bank Secrecy Act after a Southern California-based bookie, Wayne Nix, was permitted by then MGM exectuive Scott Sibella to gamble at MGM Grand and affiliated properties with illicit proceeds generated from the illegal gambling business without notifying the casino's compliance department.

Sibella also allegedly allowed Nix to receive complimentary benefits at the casino, including meals, room, board, and golf trips with senior executives and other high-net-worth customers.

This past week we are learning that a Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business from the LA area, U.S. authorities announced Thursday.

Mathew Bowyer’s business operated for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas and took wagers from more than 700 bettors, including Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles said in a statement.

Bowyer has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return, the statement said. He is expected to enter the pleas in court Aug. 9.

Moral to the story is that Southern California bookies tend to bite off more than they can chew and these are clear examples of spreading one's self beyond borders.

If you’ve been running your #sportsbook with a series of envelopes and cash, with your cell phone constantly ringing or buzzing, it is time to bring your clientele into the modern era. #payperhead #bookiesoftware https://t.co/kWZjc7MqEC pic.twitter.com/XOKhO7kkeN

— Ace Pay Per Head - Best Software for Bookies (@aceperhead) September 7, 2022

How I Became a Bookie to the Stars

One bookie recounts how he made it big in Southern California.  Let's face it, not everyone nobody reading this is going to become the next Leonardo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp.

"I moved to LA in my 20s, and my first job was as an intern at one of the studios, it paid next to nothing, the hours were long, and the work was menial, it mostly consisted of running errands for mid-level staff. Nonetheless, I was excited to be working in the film industry.

"Coming from the Midwest, what I did not realize is that an intern’s salary doesn’t go very far in LA. I needed to supplement my income, but, because of the crazy hours I was working, finding a second job was not an option.

"So, I turned to book bets; that is how I supported myself through college, and I figured if I was careful and kept it small and under the radar, I could make enough money to afford rent and even save a little.

"Everything was going great until one of the executives found out. My first thought was my gig was up, and I was sure I’d be fired, to my great surprise, the executive told me his old bookie who used to have an offshore sportsbook died, and the place had closed, so he was looking for a new bookie.

"Clearly, he knew I could not cover large bets, but, he was so eager to get some regular action that he was willing to adjust to my limits, I was beside myself. After that word got out and I became the most popular guy on the lot. And then things started spiraling out of control, I was making more money, so I began accepting larger wagers, and at this point, I realized I needed to go pro.

"I did some research on companies offering bookie software in California, and I found a few software development companies, but that was not what I needed; eventually, I hit the jackpot!

"I found a service that gave me everything an offshore sportsbook provides but at a fraction of the cost, it would be to set up my shop from scratch. This is how my journey as a pay-per-head agent started, over the years, I moved my business to a couple of services before landing with AcePerHead.com.

"Here I was able to set up my online sportsbook with their white-label service, they provide all the technical aspects, as well as the lines and I manage everything remotely. Their service is so reliable and impressive that my bookie business grew and turned into a money-making machine giving me the bankroll to accept high-rollers.

"These days my player sheet includes high executives in the film industry, producers, actors, and a few retired sports personalities. I went from being a kid from the Midwest with no connections in L.A., who could not afford the rent to being the bookie to the stars in a matter of a few years."