Published on: January 20, 2026, 09:00h.
Updated on: January 19, 2026, 08:57h.
- A whistleblower claims a Wynn Resorts nightlife executive received kickbacks totaling millions from liquor brands and distributors.
- The source states that the executive’s actions were known by some of the casino’s top executives.
- The nightlife executive continues to work for the gaming entity.
Allegations have emerged that an assistant vice president in charge of Wynn Las Vegas nightlife has engaged in corrupt practices involving liquor distributors and manufacturers, potentially amounting to millions over the years—claims that could lead to serious felony charges if validated.
In an anonymous report to Casino.org, a whistleblower alleged that Ryan Jones, the assistant vice president for day and nightlife at Wynn Las Vegas, misappropriated access to credit cards from liquor manufacturers and distributors for his personal gain. The source emphasized Jones’s perceived invulnerability, asserting he views himself as “untouchable.”
Moreover, the whistleblower suggested that high-level Wynn executives, including CEO Craig Billings and COO Brian Gullbrants, may be complicit due to their alleged knowledge of Jones’s wrongdoing, resulting in a negligent response. According to the insider, Billings is infamous for dismissing lengthy letters about negative matters with a “TLTR” (too long to read), while Gulbrants is preoccupied with the company’s stock performance.
“These individuals are as corrupt as they come,” the whistleblower stated.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Wynn has retained an external law firm to investigate the alleged kickback scheme involving alcohol, and this inquiry is currently active. Although Jones remains in his position at Wynn Las Vegas, the whistleblower anticipates that the findings from the internal legal probe could be presented to the board of directors next month, potentially prompting Jones’s termination. Attempts to reach Jones by phone and text were unreturned.
In terms of public comments, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) also opted to remain silent on this issue. A spokesperson confirmed that the whistleblower reported the situation to the state regulator, but the representative neither confirmed nor denied any ongoing investigation.
Legal Troubles Looming for Wynn Executive
It’s important to clarify that Jones has not been charged with any legal infractions at this time. However, insider reports suggest that if formal charges are filed against the Wynn nightlife executive, they would likely be felony offenses, with some possibly falling under federal jurisdiction due to the regulation of the alcohol sector at the federal level.
An illustration of this is the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act), which, according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), governs “the promotional practices related to alcohol sales and issues such as exclusive outlets, tied house arrangements, commercial bribery, and consignment sales.”
A second source corroborates the whistleblower’s claims regarding Jones misusing liquor distributors’ credit lines for personal financial gain, indicating potential violations of tied house laws, which are designed to prevent alcohol suppliers from exerting undue influence over hospitality venues.
Wynn Las Vegas is a sought-after partner for liquor distributors and manufacturers because of its extensive array of bars and restaurants, prominently featuring venues like Encore Beach Club (EBC) and XS Nightclub as top spots on the Strip.
Corruption in Las Vegas Nightlife
The whistleblower remarked that Jones’s alleged actions—receiving bribes from liquor companies—reflect a widespread issue along the Las Vegas Strip, underscoring that Wynn is not alone in facing similar issues regarding unethical practices with the alcohol industry.
They explained that liquor suppliers “are essentially contributing to slush funds, with clubs misusing the funds, which is illegal.” The alleged loophole exploited by gaming nightlife employees is that funds deposited into these slush funds are sourced from alcohol distributors, thereby creating a façade that no particular brands are “fostering favoritism” among casino club staff.
However, the whistleblower further disclosed that the slush fund, which has reportedly been shared among various casinos with nightclub operations, is predominantly financed by liquor manufacturers. This source also indicated that the income Jones obtained from Wynn’s dealings could be liable for tax reporting.
The informer added that the external law firm could potentially notify the legal divisions of competing Strip operators about the alcohol-nightlife dynamics, and if their responses fall short, further actions may be considered.
Finally, the whistleblower commented that while business in Strip nightclubs has declined from a few years ago, some prominent DJs still command fees as high as $400,000 per gig. However, these earnings do not originate from gaming companies’ budgets but rather from the slush funds supplied by liquor firms.
“This group—liquor companies and casino nightlife personnel—functions outside legal boundaries,” concluded the whistleblower.