The Nevada Gaming Commission fined MGM Resorts International, owner of one of Nevada’s top sportsbooks, $8.5 million for regulatory violations involving letting two recognized illegal bookmakers gamble at MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan.
The four commissioners' unanimous decision is the fourth-highest fine in state history and follows a broader investigation into regulatory lapses at company properties from 2017 to 2020.
Key takeaways
● MGM Resorts received an $8.5 million fine.
● This is the fourth-highest fine the NGCB ever gave out.
● MGM Resorts was found guilty of letting two illegal bookmakers gamble at its properties.
The disciplinary action targets the conduct of Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player, and Matthew Bowyer. They both pleaded guilty to illegal gambling offenses in federal cases—Nix in 2018 and Bowyer in 2024.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed a 10-count complaint, including a range of offenses for failure to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and oversight of known illegal operators. The complaint detailed how MGM's internal controls let Nix gamble with the proceeds of his unlawful sports bookmaking business. He consistently transported duffle bags, brown paper bags, or leather bags filled with large amounts of money from California to Las Vegas casinos.
Although the transactions were transparent, the facilities received these cash deposits without triggering proper compliance procedures. In addition, the casinos offered Nix free perks like meals, accommodation, golf trips, and other inducements intended to lure him into continuing to patronize them.
The complaint also named former MGM Grand President Scott Sibella and two casino hosts as having knowledge of Nix's illegal business but allowing and facilitating his activities. Sibella already faced retribution from regulators last December, when they revoked his gaming license and fined him $10,000.
Sibella unwelcome in gambling industry
On the federal level, Sibella already received one year of probation and monetary fines after pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. He since claimed other executives also failed to report necessary suspicious activity reports, showing the issue was industry-wide among Vegas casinos.
MGM Resorts publicly stated it strengthened its AML processes and compliance activities. The company said it cooperated fully with the inquiry and implemented a range of reforms, including hiring external auditors, enhancing staff training, and investing over $1 million in increasing compliance personnel.
The presentation to the Gaming Commission also offered a timeline of actions taken since 2022, when regulators initiated an internal investigation into Nix and Sibella. The reforms include new procedures to screen and monitor new patrons, particularly those red-flagged for suspicious financial behavior or large cash transactions.
The NGCB complaint listed 10 counts—eight attributed to Nix's activities, one to Bowyer, and one directly aimed at MGM's AML program shortcomings. It was also joined by supporting court filings from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, which pointed to federal and state collaboration in investigating the violations.
Another instance saw Resorts World Las Vegas fined $10.5 million in March for permitting Bowyer to gamble at its resort.
