Key Moments:
- Christopher Scott King received a 21-month prison sentence in Los Angeles federal court.
- King agreed to a $10 million forfeiture after generating more than $13 million in unreported income between 2018 and 2022.
- Sentencing follows ongoing investigations, with notable NBA figures charged in related cases.
Federal Sentencing Highlights Enforcement Actions
Christopher Scott King, a leading bookmaker from Southern California, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison following conviction for operating an illegal gambling business, tax evasion, and money laundering. King’s sentencing, which took place in a Los Angeles courtroom, closely follows the earlier case of Matt Bowyer, who had previously received a lighter sentence in August.
US authorities have handed down another major sentence in their long-running fight against illegal sports betting in California, with bookmaker Christopher Scott King sentenced to 21 months in prison.
— iGB (@iGamingBusiness) October 30, 2025
Financial Penalties and Plea Agreement Details
According to court filings, King accrued over $13 million in unreported income from illegal activities and other revenue streams between 2018 and 2022. In April, he entered a guilty plea, admitting to his involvement in illicit bookmaking, tax offenses, and laundering illicit funds.
Federal prosecutors stated that King had reported only $1.6 million in taxable income by filing fraudulent tax returns. As part of his plea deal, King agreed to forfeit $10 million and make financial restitution for the $3.8 million tax loss suffered by the federal government. The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California confirmed that King has already met these financial commitments.
| Bookmaker | Prison Sentence | Forfeiture | Unreported Income | Tax Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Scott King | 21 months | $10 million | Over $13 million (2018-2022) | $3.8 million |
Connections to Other High-Profile Cases
King’s conviction follows the case of Matt Bowyer, who accepted approximately $325 million in wagers from Ippei Mizuhara, formerly the interpreter for a Los Angeles Dodgers player. While Bowyer’s case drew significant media attention for high-profile connections, the scale of both investigations highlights a concerted effort to dismantle large-scale illegal gambling operations in California.
Bowyer’s client list reportedly included at least 700 bettors and several professional athletes, while the size of King’s book was not disclosed. Both used offshore Costa Rica-based websites to process wagers.
NBA Personalities Among Recent Indictments
King’s sentencing arrives just after federal prosecutors in Brooklyn revealed indictments of 34 individuals as part of a wider probe into poker and sports betting. Named among those charged are three NBA figures, including Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Personal Circumstances and Cooperation
In advance of sentencing, King’s legal team described challenging personal circumstances, including recovery from gambling addiction and threats to his residence from the Palisades wildfire. They asserted that King has “taken ‘full responsibility’ for his actions and has cooperated with the authorities throughout the investigation.” As part of his cooperation, King provided details regarding an unnamed associate, with prosecutors crediting him for his assistance. Court documents note that Bowyer’s more extensive cooperation led to a substantial downward adjustment in his own sentencing.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings in Related Cases
Two other bookmakers tied to the larger investigation are awaiting sentencing. Damien Leforbes has pleaded guilty to laundering millions through a Las Vegas casino, while Wayne Nix’s sentencing has been repeatedly delayed.
King must also complete three years of supervised release following his prison term, with no further fines beyond the $10 million forfeiture. He is scheduled to surrender by January 6 and has not provided public comment following his sentencing.
- Author
Daniel Williams
