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

Nevada gaming regulators have fined Resorts World casino on the Las Vegas Strip $10.5 million over allegations of illegal gambling practices. This fine comes in response to a complaint from the state Gaming Control Board, which accused the casino of associating with individuals linked to illegal bookmaking, including those with gambling-related felony convictions.

The Nevada Gaming Commission's fine is the second-largest of its kind and was announced on Thursday. As part of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company neither admitted nor denied the allegations but agreed to implement changes in leadership and enhance protocols for preventing money laundering.

The allegations prominently featured Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker connected to the former interpreter of baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Bowyer has already pleaded guilty in federal court to running an illegal gambling business and is currently awaiting sentencing.

According to the Gaming Control Board's complaint, Resorts World allowed Bowyer to gamble for 80 days over a 15-month period without verifying the source of his funding. During this time, he reportedly lost over $6.6 million, while benefiting from gifts, discounts, and flights on the casino's private jet.

The original complaint included 12 counts against Resorts World, with six directly related to Bowyer. Charges ranged from failing to distance themselves from suspected illegal bookmakers to extending credit to individuals with histories of illegal gambling or ties to organized crime.