Resorts World allowed culture of money laundering for illegal bookmakers, Nevada gaming regulators say

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Nevada gaming regulators are going after Resorts World for allowing a culture that tolerated money laundering by gamblers with suspected and actual ties to illegal bookmaking, filing a 31-page complaint on Thursday morning.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board action follows previous enforcement directed at a former Resorts World president, Scott Sibella. In May, Sibella was given a year’s probation and a $9,500 fine in a federal court case involving his activities at MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Those resorts paid a combined $7.45 million fine. In that case, Sibella could face a $750,000 fine and his gaming license could be revoked.

That case involved one known illegal bookmaker. The new complaint brought by gaming regulators lays out violations involving four illegal bookmakers who placed millions of dollars in bets at Resorts World.

One of the gamblers, Mathew Bowyer, is an Orange County man who took bets from L.A. Dodger star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter , according to The Associated Press.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) would not comment on the potential fines Resorts World is facing. State law indicates the resort could be fined $25,000 to $250,000 for each violation detailed in the 31-page complaint.

“The culture within Resorts World created the perception, or the reality in certain instances, that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds derived from illegal activity,” according to a Thursday news release. “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.”

“Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) complaint,” a statement issued Thursday by a Resorts World spokesperson said. “We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines. We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members.”

The complaint asks the Nevada Gaming Commission to take appropriate action against Resorts World’s gaming license.

Nevada has vigorously pursued penalties when the reputation of the state’s casinos is at issue. Wynn Resorts was fined $20 million in connection with sexual harassment accusations against Steve Wynn. That was five years ago. Steve Wynn agreed to pay a $10 million fine in 2023 . The agreement ended his involvement in Nevada casinos.

The complaint alleges that Resorts World failed to fulfill its responsibilities as the holder of a privileged Nevada gaming license. “Resorts World’s inactions or inactions caused damage to the reputation of the State of Nevada and Nevada’s gaming industry,” a Thursday news release said.

The complaint details activities involving Bowyer, Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto. Bowyer has pleaded guilty in federal court to operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering and filing a false tax return. Ting has a federal conviction for operating an illegal gambling business and has known ties to organized crime. Iwamoto was convicted in federal court of transmission of wagering information and failing to file monthly tax return for wages. Another unnamed individual is suspected of being an illegal bookmaker.

A separate complaint was filed involving Nicole Bowyer, who is Mathew Bowyer’s wife. She has not cooperated with the investigation and was “allowed to directly profit from casino wagering by her husband and his friends at Resorts World,” the complaint alleges. She is a registered independent agent with a Resorts World contract. She received payment “despite surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity,” according to regulators.

The case against Sibella involved another gambler. Wayne Nix, a gambler from Orange County, California, who received comps at the MGM Grand and gambled at the MGM, The Mirage and Aria, was identified in documents in the Sibella case as an illegal bookmaker. Sibella was president of the MGM Grand at the time of the violations involving Nix.

Sibella was dismissed by Resorts World in September 2023 after the company said he “violated company policies and the terms of his employment.”

“The Nevada Gaming Control Board is committed to protecting the State of Nevada, its citizens and visitors, and Nevada’s vital gaming industry, NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick said. “All suspected violations of Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations will be fully investigated and disciplinary action will be filed when warranted.”

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