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

Nevada gaming regulators have imposed a $10.5 million fine on Resorts World casino in Las Vegas due to allegations of illegal gambling practices. The complaint primarily targeted the casino's connections with individuals linked to illegal bookmaking activities, including a bookmaker associated with the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani.

The fine, announced on Thursday, represents the second-largest penalty issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission. The settlement resolves a complaint filed by the state Gaming Control Board last year, which accused Resorts World of allowing individuals with connections to illegal gambling and those with felony convictions related to gambling to operate within the casino.

Under the terms of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company neither admit to nor deny the allegations but have committed to making changes in leadership and enhancing protocols to combat money laundering. The casino's response to the issue has been minimal, with no immediate comment provided to the media.

Central to the allegations is Mathew Bowyer, a bookmaker from Southern California, who took numerous sports bets from Ohtani's former interpreter. Bowyer has already pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business and is currently awaiting sentencing. The complaint asserts that Resorts World permitted Bowyer to gamble over 80 days across 15 months while failing to verify the source of his funds.

Additionally, the Gaming Control Board's complaint outlined multiple counts against Resorts World, including improper relationships with suspected illegal bookmakers and failure to report suspicious gambling activities. The inquiry revealed that the casino extended significant credits and benefits to individuals with known gambling-related criminal histories, further raising concerns about its regulatory compliance.