Resorts World Las Vegas Faces Large Fines for Alleged Money Laundering By Gamblers

Posted on: August 15, 2024, 02:50h. 

Last updated on: August 15, 2024, 02:50h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) revealed on Thursday it wants to financially penalize Resorts World Las Vegas after the casino allegedly let illegal bookmakers gamble without saying from where the money came.

Resorts World could end up paying millions of dollars in fines for illicit money laundering, according to the NGCB.

The NGCB allegations were in a 12-count, 31-page disciplinary complaint against Resorts World and related companies.

Resorts World … allowed a culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and ties to organized crime,” according to a NGCB statement.

“The NGCB investigation revealed acceptance among Resorts World executives of a culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or, at worst, willfully ignored for financial gain,” the statement added.

Bowyer Named in Complaint

Among those named in the NGCB filing was California bookie Mathew Bowyer, 49. Earlier this month, he pled guilty to operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.

Bowyer is facing a prison sentence of between 30 to 37 months when he appears in court next year.

He reportedly “transferred or directed the transfer” of at least $9.3M to Resorts World Las Vegas, according to ESPN. He also reportedly lost at least $4M at the gaming property.

Among Bowyer’s customers were pro athletes, and Ippei Mizuhara, the man who translated for MLB Los Angeles Dodgers star player Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara stole some $17M from Ohtani to pay off massive gambling debts.

The illicit gambling mostly occurred while Scott Sibella was president of Resorts World, according to the Nevada Independent. He wasn’t named in the filing.

In May, Sibella pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act when he was head of MGM Grand Las Vegas. Later, he was fired from Resorts World.

Ties to Organized Crime

Thursday’s filing also named Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto. They both were convicted of illicit gambling. Ting is “known to have ties to organized crime,” the NGCB statement revealed.

In a second NGCB complaint, Nicole Bowyer, Mathew Bowyer’s wife, was named. She allegedly profited from Mathew Bowyer’s gambling, as an independent agent.

Ms. Bowyer received payment from Resorts World despite surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity,” according to the NGCB statement. Nicole Bowyer has allegedly failed to cooperate with the NGCB investigation.

In a statement released on Thursday, Resorts World said it was “actively communicating” with the NGCB “to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members,” the Independent reported.