The firing of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's interpreter and close friend, Ippei Mizuhara, has brought attention to the issue of compulsive gambling. Mizuhara was let go from the team after allegations of illegal gambling and theft from Ohtani, with debts exceeding $1 million. Ohtani's law firm stated that he had been the victim of "massive theft" and had no knowledge of Mizuhara's illegal activities, attributing them to a gambling addiction.

Problem gambling is defined by the National Council on Problem Gambling as behavior that is damaging to the individual or their family, disrupting daily life and career. Symptoms include constantly thinking about gambling, needing to bet more money more frequently, chasing losses, feeling out of control, and continuing to gamble despite negative consequences. Approximately 2.5 million adults in the U.S. have a severe gambling problem, with 5 to 8 million having mild to moderate issues.

Sports betting is legal in 38 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., with online betting being the most popular method. The American Gaming Association estimated that Americans would wager $2.72 billion on the NCAA college basketball tournaments this year. Major professional sports leagues prohibit players from gambling, with penalties ranging from fines to lifetime bans. Despite this, many teams and leagues have partnerships with gambling companies and allow advertising on their premises.

In California, sports betting is not legal, while in Japan most forms of gambling are prohibited except for certain activities like horse racing and motor sports. Ohtani's situation serves as a reminder of the dangers of compulsive gambling and the need for support and resources for those struggling with addiction.