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

Nevada gaming regulators have imposed a hefty $10.5 million fine on Resorts World casino located on the Las Vegas Strip due to allegations of illegal gambling practices. The issues chiefly involved a bookmaker with connections to the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, amid accusations that the casino facilitated activities related to illegal bookmaking and allowed individuals with gambling felony histories to participate in gaming.

This penalty marks one of the largest disciplinary actions by the Nevada Gaming Commission and follows a complaint issued by the state Gaming Control Board last year. As part of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company neither admitted to nor denied these allegations. Nonetheless, the casino has committed to restructuring its leadership and enhancing its protocols against money laundering.

The case highlighted the activities of Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker who engaged in significant betting, including on behalf of Ohtani's former interpreter. Bowyer has since pleaded guilty to federal charges of operating an illegal gambling enterprise and is awaiting sentencing. Allegations against Resorts World claim that the casino permitted Bowyer to gamble extensively over a 15-month period without proper verification of his funding sources, during which time he reportedly lost over $6.6 million.

In total, the complaint identified 12 counts against Resorts World, six of which were directly related to Bowyer. These included failures to distance the casino from suspected illegal bookmakers and the non-reporting of suspicious gambling activity by the casino hosts. Moreover, the complaint pointed out that Resorts World issued substantial credit to others known for illegal gambling practices, highlighting serious lapses in compliance with gaming regulations.

Resorts World has yet to provide a public response to the fine. The case serves as a significant reminder of the strict regulatory environment governing casinos in Nevada, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical practices within the gambling industry.