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

LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Gaming Control Board has imposed a $10.5 million fine on Resorts World casino for alleged illegal gambling activities, particularly involving a bookmaker connected to the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. This penalty addresses serious accusations that the casino welcomed individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking and individuals with gambling-related criminal records.

The fine, announced on Thursday, marks one of the largest financial penalties imposed by the Nevada Gaming Commission. As part of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company did not admit or deny the allegations, but they agreed to implement changes in leadership and enhance protocols aimed at preventing money laundering, according to reports.

Central to these allegations is Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker, who placed numerous bets while associated with Ohtani's interpreter. Bowyer has already pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling enterprise in federal court and is currently awaiting sentencing.

The Gaming Control Board's complaint detailed that Resorts World allowed Bowyer to gamble on about 80 occasions over a 15-month span, failing to verify his funding sources. During this period, Bowyer lost upwards of $6.6 million while the casino provided him with various perks, including gifts and private jet flights.

The original complaint against Resorts World included 12 counts, with several directly related to Bowyer’s activities. These charges highlighted the casino's negligence in distancing itself from suspected illegal bookmakers and the failure of its staff to report dubious gambling activities, as well as the extension of credit to individuals with prior illegal gambling convictions.