TLDR
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed a 12-count disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas for alleged anti-money laundering violations.
- Resorts World is accused of allowing known illegal bookmakers to gamble millions of dollars at the casino without proper documentation.
- The complaint links Resorts World to the California sports betting scandal involving Mathew Bowyer, who allegedly laundered millions at the casino.
On August 15, 2024, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed a 12-count disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, alleging serious violations of anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
The complaint accuses the casino, owned by Malaysia-based Genting Berhad, of allowing known illegal bookmakers to gamble millions of dollars without proper documentation or verification of fund sources.
The NGCB’s 31-page filing outlines multiple instances where Resorts World allegedly failed to comply with federal AML regulations.
A central figure in the complaint is Mathew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker who recently pleaded guilty to federal charges related to operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. Bowyer is also connected to the high-profile California sports betting scandal involving the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
According to the complaint, Bowyer gambled at Resorts World on 80 separate days over approximately 15 months, losing more than $6.6 million.
The casino allegedly extended gifts, discounts, and flights on its private jet to Bowyer during this period. The NGCB states that Resorts World repeatedly failed to verify Bowyer’s source of funds, despite its anti-money laundering committee first evaluating him in July 2022.
The complaint also names Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto, both convicted of various illegal gambling crimes, with Ting allegedly having connections to organized crime. Regulators accuse Resorts World of failing to bar, ban, or restrict these individuals from the casino despite their known illegal activities.
The NGCB expressed concerns about Resorts World’s overall compliance culture, stating there is
“an overall lack of control” and an “acceptance among executives of a culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or, worst, willfully ignored for financial gain.”
The complaint suggests that executive bonuses were directly tied to the resort’s financial success, potentially incentivizing overlooking suspicious activities.
In response to the allegations, Genting Berhad released a statement on August 16, saying, “GENT and its subsidiaries are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in line with applicable laws and industry guidelines.”
The company acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and stated it has sought legal advice and looks forward to resolving the issues raised by the NGCB.
The potential consequences for Resorts World are severe. The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) has the power to impose multi-million dollar fines and take action against the casino’s gaming licenses. In extreme cases, the NGC could potentially revoke Resorts World’s license, although experts note this is a rare occurrence.
Michael Green, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a longtime Vegas casino business scholar, commented on the situation, saying the NGC “can decide to revoke the license” but added that “they’re always hesitant to go that far.”
He suggested that the commission has “some latitude” in determining the severity of its response, which could include fines or forcing the resignation of certain executives.
The allegations against Resorts World Las Vegas come at a time of increased scrutiny in the gaming industry. The case highlights the ongoing challenges casinos face in maintaining strict compliance with AML regulations while catering to high-rolling clients.
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