Caesars Entertainment has settled allegations of failing to enforce anti-money laundering regulations related to the convicted illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, with a fine totaling $7.8 million, as stated by Nevada regulators on Thursday. This makes Caesars the third major operator on the Las Vegas Strip to face penalties this year in connection with Bowyer.
The Nevada Gaming Commission is set to review the proposed settlement during its meeting on November 20. Earlier this year, similar fines were approved for MGM Resorts and Resorts World.
In a detailed five-count complaint, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) reported that Caesars allowed Bowyer to gamble openly at its casinos for over seven years despite numerous warnings and his classification as a “high-risk” customer since 2019. Regulators highlighted that Caesars had evidence of Bowyer being banned from two other casinos as early as 2017; however, they did not prohibit him from their establishments until January 22, 2024.
The complaint further indicated that Caesars enabled Bowyer to “win and lose millions of dollars” at Caesars Palace, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, and Lake Tahoe properties while neglecting to verify the origin of his funds or report concerns to its anti-money laundering team. The board cited five specific violations, including not identifying Bowyer’s source of funds, failing to ban him, and not performing adequate due diligence.
Bowyer, 50, known as one of the largest illegal bookmakers in the United States, managed over $325 million in wagers from Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to charges involving illegal gambling, money laundering, and tax offenses, beginning a one-year federal prison sentence in October.
In an official statement, Caesars emphasized that “integrity and regulatory compliance are top priorities” and mentioned that it has “fully cooperated with the Nevada Gaming Control Board throughout the investigation.” The company reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing its anti-money laundering and “know your customer” processes.
Nevada regulators are dealing with a surge in anti-money laundering cases in 2025, including sanctions of $8.5 million against MGM, $10.5 million against Resorts World, and $5.5 million against Wynn. NGCB chair Mike Dreitzer warned that the board would not hesitate to strengthen enforcement if operators continue to exhibit deficiencies.
“While fines attract attention, it’s crucial that operators and licensees are taking corrective actions, and we must ensure accountability as we progress. … We are prepared to escalate enforcement as needed, including potential penalties,” Dreitzer remarked.
This penalty compounds an already challenging year for Caesars, which reported a significant decline in Las Vegas profits for the third quarter and is grappling with ongoing uncertainties regarding its digital division. Regulatory hurdles have also hampered its efforts to develop emerging prediction market products. Furthermore, its ambitious attempt to acquire a casino in New York’s Times Square faced local opposition earlier this year.
Caesars Digital president Eric Hession indicated to analysts in October that the company would proceed cautiously regarding prediction markets until clear regulatory guidance is established. “We cannot lead the charge on this… Our best strategy is to observe, prepare our plans, ensure adequate resources are in place, and be poised to act when legislation evolves,” he stated.