Resorts World casino in Las Vegas fined $10.5M in money-laundering case

LAS VEGAS - Nevada gaming regulators have fined Resorts World casino $10.5 million over allegations of facilitating illegal gambling. The charges, which surfaced in a complaint filed by the state Gaming Control Board last year, involved connections to a bookmaker with ties to the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. This fine marks the second-largest penalty imposed by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The settlement, announced on Thursday, sees Resorts World and its parent company neither admitting to nor denying the claims. However, the casino has agreed to make leadership changes and enhance protocols aimed at preventing money laundering. This move comes amid increasing scrutiny of the casino's operations and its failure to adhere to regulations.

Key allegations against Resorts World focus on Mathew Bowyer, a bookmaker from Southern California linked to illegal betting activities. Bowyer has already pleaded guilty in federal court for running an illegal gambling operation and is awaiting sentencing. The Nevada Gaming Control Board indicated that Resorts World allowed him to gamble on 80 occasions over 15 months without verifying the funding sources for his bets.

During this period, Bowyer reportedly lost over $6.6 million, while enjoying various perks from the casino, including gifts and access to private flights. The original complaint cited 12 counts against Resorts World, with several tied to Bowyer, pointing to systemic failures in the casino's protocols regarding illegal gambling activities.

Among the other violations alleged were granting credit to individuals with felony gambling convictions and connections to organized crime. These findings underline the ongoing challenges that gaming regulators face in ensuring compliance and maintaining the integrity of the gambling environment in Nevada.