Date: December 15, 2024, 05:58h.
Last updated on: December 15, 2024, 06:04h.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) recently came to an agreement with Scott Sibella, the former president of Resorts World and MGM Grand. As part of the agreement, Sibella has agreed to surrender his gaming license and will face a five-year ban from Nevada’s gaming industry.
The NGCB’s complaint, filed in April, accused Sibella of allowing Wayne Nix to operate an illegal sports-betting business and gamble millions of dollars at the MGM Grand from August 2017 to February 2019. Sibella had already pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act in January 2024 in relation to this allegation.
In May, Sibella was sentenced to one year of probation and a fine of $9,500. The settlement with NGCB spares Sibella from more severe consequences by agreeing to the terms of the agreement.
Sibella also agreed to a $10K fine, which will cover the costs of the NGCB investigation. However, the settlement still requires approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission.
A Resorts World of Trouble
While the complaint only addressed his actions at the MGM Grand, regulators have agreed that the settlement will also cover any potential violations during Sibella’s tenure at Resorts World.
Resorts World, owned by Genting Berhad, is currently facing a 12-count disciplinary complaint from NGCB regarding anti-money laundering laws. The resolution of this complaint is pending.
Since its opening in 2021, Resorts World has been involved in several gambling scandals, resulting in arrests and convictions. One of the notable incidents involved bookmakers like Edwin Ting, Chad Iwamoto, and Mathew Bowyer.
Bowyer, a bookmaker from Southern California, allegedly accepted wagers from Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who embezzled $16 million to cover his gambling debts. The investigation revealed that Mizuhara used cash at Resorts World and Pechanga Resort Casino for casino chips, with the proceeds going to Bowyer.
Bowyer admitted to money laundering and operating the illegal operation for five years. His sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2025.