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

LAS VEGAS -- The Resorts World casino on the Las Vegas Strip has been fined $10.5 million by Nevada gaming regulators for alleged illegal gambling activities, including connections to a bookmaker linked to Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter. This fine resolves a complaint from the state Gaming Control Board that accused the casino of allowing individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking and those with gambling-related felony histories to operate within its premises.

The fine, issued on Thursday, marks the second-largest penalty ever levied by the Nevada Gaming Commission. In settling the complaint, Resorts World and its parent company opted not to admit or deny any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, they committed to leadership changes and the implementation of more rigorous protocols aimed at preventing money laundering activities.

A significant focus of the accusations involved Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker who had taken substantial sports bets from the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Bowyer, who has already pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business, is currently awaiting sentencing in federal court.

According to the complaint, Resorts World permitted Bowyer to gamble over 80 days across approximately 15 months without properly verifying the source of his funds. During this period, Bowyer incurred losses exceeding $6.6 million while receiving various gifts and privileges from the casino, including discounts and flights on a private jet.

The initial complaint against Resorts World contained 12 counts, with six directly associated with Bowyer. Allegations included the casino's failure to distance itself from suspected illegal bookmakers and the negligence of casino hosts in reporting suspicious activities. Other infractions involved extending credit to individuals with known illegal gambling convictions, further compounding the casino's legal troubles.