Posted on: August 15, 2024, 02:50h.
Last updated on: August 15, 2024, 02:50h.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) revealed on Thursday it aims to financially penalize Resorts World Las Vegas after the casino allegedly allowed illegal bookmakers to gamble without disclosing the source of the funds.
Resorts World could potentially face significant fines for involvement in money laundering activities, according to the NGCB.
The NGCB leveled 12 counts of allegations in a 31-page disciplinary complaint against Resorts World and its affiliates.
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,” as per a NGCB statement.
“The NGCB investigation exposed an acceptance by 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 implicated in the NGCB filing was California bookie Mathew Bowyer, 49. He recently pleaded guilty to charges of operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return.
Bowyer faces a potential prison sentence of 30 to 37 months when he faces court next year.
He reportedly transferred at least $9.3M to Resorts World Las Vegas, with reports indicating he lost at least $4M at the casino.
His clients included professional athletes, including Ippei Mizuhara, who stole $17M from MLB star player Shohei Ohtani to settle gambling debts.
The illegal gambling operations largely occurred while Scott Sibella was president of Resorts World, according to the Nevada Independent. He was not named in the complaint.
In May, Sibella admitted guilt to breaching the Bank Secrecy Act during his tenure at MGM Grand Las Vegas. He was subsequently terminated from Resorts World.
Ties to Organized Crime
The recent filing also linked Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto, both previously convicted of illicit gambling. Ting has affiliations with organized crime, as per the NGCB statement.
In a separate complaint by the NGCB, Nicole Bowyer, wife of Mathew Bowyer, was named, with allegations of profiting from her husband’s gambling activities as an independent agent.
Ms. Bowyer received payments from Resorts World despite being fully aware that her husband’s funds were derived, at least in part, from illegal activities,” according to the NGCB statement. Nicole Bowyer has reportedly refused to cooperate with the NGCB probe.
In a response issued on Thursday, Resorts World stated it was actively engaging with the NGCB “to address these concerns so we can move forward and concentrate on our guests and nearly 5,000 staff members,” as reported by the Independent.