Resorts World casino in Las Vegas fined $10.5M in money-laundering case
Resorts World casino in Las Vegas has been fined $10.5 million by Nevada gaming regulators due to allegations of illegal gambling activities, which included connections to a bookmaker linked to the interpreter of baseball star Shohei Ohtani. The fine addresses a complaint filed last year by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, accusing the casino of allowing individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking and gambling-related felony convictions to patronize its facilities.
This significant penalty is the second-largest imposed by the Nevada Gaming Commission, which oversees disciplinary actions within the state's gaming industry. As a part of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company will not admit to the allegations but have agreed to implement leadership changes and adopt stricter anti-money laundering measures to enhance compliance.
Among the key allegations is the involvement of Mathew Bowyer, a bookmaker from Southern California who placed numerous sports bets at Resorts World. Bowyer has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business and is currently awaiting sentencing. The Gaming Control Board's complaint indicates that the casino failed to verify Bowyer's funding sources while allowing him to gamble over 80 days within a 15-month span, during which he reportedly lost over $6.6 million.
The original complaint charged Resorts World with a total of 12 counts, including allegations of failing to distance itself from suspected illegal bookmakers and neglecting to report dubious bookings made by casino hosts. Further issues were raised about providing credit to individuals with histories of illegal gambling and organized crime, reflecting significant lapses in oversight and compliance.
Resorts World has yet to respond to inquiries from the media regarding the settlement and its implications. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of gaming operations in Nevada, particularly as regulators continue to scrutinize compliance with legal gambling practices.