Publication Date: August 29, 2025, 12:37h.
Last Modified: August 29, 2025, 12:37h.
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Cipriani claims bookmakers are facing consequences for executives’ misdeeds at Resorts World
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This follows the sentencing of bookie Bowyer to 12 months plus a day in federal prison
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Cipriani urges the casino sector to stop hiring executives with dubious records
Today, Mathew Bowyer, a former bookmaker at the center of the scandal involving ex-MLB translator Ippei Mizuhara, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison, which led to a prominent whistleblower voicing his concerns.
R.J. Cipriani, aka Robin Hood 702, pointed out that Bowyer’s case, along with the upcoming sentencing of bookmaker Wayne Nix and Damien LeForbes, who was once associated with Bowyer, illustrate how bookmakers suffer consequences while casino executives like former Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella remain largely unpunished.
Bowyer was charged with operating an illegal gambling enterprise, money laundering, and submitting a false tax return after Cipriani revealed misconduct at Resorts World Las Vegas. This included the Genting-owned casino knowingly accepting bets from around 30 identified bookmakers, including Bowyer, LeForbes, and Nix. Cipriani, whose gambling history spans five decades, is recognized for exposing Sibella’s misconduct to regulators, resulting in Sibella’s termination from the Strip location in 2023 for undisclosed breaches of his employment contract.
“It’s astonishing that, given all that transpired at Resorts World, no other staff members or executives besides Scott Sibella faced repercussions or imprisonment, and all he received was a mere slap on the wrist,” Cipriani remarked in an interview with Casino.org. “For a massive federal investigation to result in only three bookies when I know at least 30 gambled at Resorts World forced me to bring Sibella’s misdeeds and those of his executive counterparts to light.”
Cipriani mentioned that he is consulting with a former assistant US attorney from Washington D.C. now practicing privately about potentially filing a RICO case against Resorts World Las Vegas and all the corrupt executives involved in having him arrested on what he considers “false” charges aimed at silencing his revelations about illicit activities at the Strip casino.
Resorts World Attempted to Coerce Cipriani
Cipriani, an avid blackjack player, adopted the Robin Hood 702 persona because he is committed to unveiling dishonest casino executives, aiming to advocate for those affected, including employees and gamblers.
However, these endeavors displeased Resorts World Las Vegas. Cipriani alleges that the resort’s executives harassed and intimidated him, a situation that culminated in his arrest in November 2021 on what he labels as fabrications and his subsequent exclusion from the property. Cipriani suspects that Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson acted at Sibella’s request after it became apparent he had incriminating evidence against the executive.
Charges of larceny with a special victim enhancement and robbery against Cipriani were dismissed in May 2022, but the tension between him and Resorts World persists.
“A federal RICO lawsuit against Resorts World and all the executives involved in orchestrating my arrest could be the sole means of ensuring accountability for their transgressions,” Cipriani stated to Casino.org.
He indicated that this suit might also target Kok Thay (KT) Lim, the chairman of Genting Group, the Malaysian conglomerate owning Resorts World casinos, and Scott Sibella’s lawyer, David Chesnoff, who also served as a vendor at the Resorts World Casino.
What Lies Ahead in the Cipriani/Resorts World Drama?
With Nix and LeForbes awaiting their sentences and Bowyer already sentenced, the next developments in the Resorts World Las Vegas saga could involve the filing of Cipriani’s RICO lawsuit or LeForbes’s sentencing, which is set for December.
Regarding Sibella, his LinkedIn profile shows he hasn’t found employment in the gaming industry or any other field since departing from Resorts World Las Vegas in 2023. Before moving on from Resorts World, Sibella had nearly two decades of experience with MGM Resorts International.
Over six years ago, in 2019, towards the end of Sibella’s presidency at MGM Grand, Cipriani alerted then CEO Jim Murren, the Nevada FBI, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) about corrupt activities occurring at MGM Las Vegas properties, claiming that Sibella was not only aware of these actions but encouraged them.
Cipriani elaborated, “Scott Sibella was one of the most unethical yet shielded casino executives in Las Vegas history. Any casino considering hiring Sibella for any position, even as a valet or busboy, should be warned. He’s a convicted felon, and he poses a risk to any casino. His exposure should have landed him in prison. He knows this. Go quietly into retirement with your ill-gotten gains and enjoy your life. Your casino career has concluded, Scotty boy. Your influence with Governor Lombardo, attorney David Chesnoff, Wolfson, and others in the Las Vegas inner circle won’t save you. Goodbye!”