Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) will be fined $10.5 million in connection with a lawsuit brought by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
This resolves serious charges that the property enabled illegal gaming activity linked to individuals with criminal backgrounds, including the bookmaker who took illegal wagers from MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and placed bets at Resorts World.
The deal follows a sweeping NGCB probe that revealed multiple regulatory breaches. The Nevada Gaming Commission will formally consider and approve the deal at its next session. Upon ratification, RWLV will be required to settle the penalty within two business days.
The @NevadaGCB issued the following news release today. pic.twitter.com/Q6idFdxJlR
— Nevada Gaming Control Board (@NevadaGCB) March 20, 2025
Based on the complaint filed by the NGCB, Resorts World allowed high-stakes betting by those with a prior conviction of federal crimes, including illegal gaming and money laundering. The investigators concluded RWLV fell short of fulfilling its fiduciary obligations under the Nevada Gaming Control Act and that its inactions or actions jeopardized the reputation and integrity of the state gaming industry.
Among the findings was the casino's failure to adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. Regulators noted that the resort's internal compliance mechanisms either ignored or circumvented red flags, allowing barred or high-risk players to gamble without adequate vetting or enforcement. The case raised broader concerns about systemic shortcomings in the property's regulatory compliance system.
The key individuals named in the complaint are Mathew Bowyer, Edwin Ting, and Chad Iwamoto – each of whom has a history of convictions for illegal gambling operations. These men, who are convicted criminals, were reportedly allowed to wager significant sums at the resort.
More punishments possible
The NGCB also included Nicole Bowyer, Mathew Bowyer's wife and a duly registered agent of RWLV, in its disciplinary action. She faces a possible lifetime ban from Nevada gaming properties.
Rather than fight the charges in a contested hearing, RWLV resolved the matter through an agreement. As part of the settlement, the resort will overhaul its AML systems, implement updated training for registered agents, and maintain tighter compliance records. These remedial measures must be completed within 60 days of the Gaming Commission's final ruling.
The settlement also imposes regular regulatory oversight. RWLV's internal audit department must report periodically on the status of its AML upgrades. Additionally, the resort must notify the NGCB if it becomes the subject of any criminal or regulatory investigation by other jurisdictions. Notably, the current compliance department must be left intact throughout this oversight period.
RWLV indicated that it had begun reviewing and sharpening its AML practices in 2023 before filing the complaint. Among these measures, the property has supposedly taken stronger internal measures and barred people with prior convictions for gambling crimes from visiting the casino.
The scandal also occurred when the resort's leadership was changing. Former president and chief operating officer Scott Sibella departed in 2023 and later had his gaming license revoked by the commission. After his departure, Alex Dixon was named CEO and Carlos Castro assumed the positions of COO and CFO.
