The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a disciplinary complaint Wednesday accusing Resorts World of creating a “culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal convictions related to illegal gambling, and ties to organized crime.”
This comes days after Matthew Bowyer, a 49-year-old Orange County, Calif. bookmaker who took wagers from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business and other charges.
Bowyer, who’s named in the complaint, and two convicted felons wagered millions of dollars during several months at Resorts World's casino, which allegedly failed to adhere to the Anti-Money Laundering Program.
“The culture within Resorts World created the perception, or the reality in certain instances, that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds driven from illegal activity,” the NGCB stated in the press release.
The Genting Group-owned Resorts World, which opened on the Las Vegas strip in 2021, can request a hearing with the board or reach a stipulated settlement before punitive measures are taken.
Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a Complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, LLC, and its affiliated companies, for alleged violations of Nevada gaming laws. NGCB alleges RWLV’s compliance issues damaged Nevada and its gaming industry. Complaint at: https://t.co/NUvZozenIz pic.twitter.com/0QKXidoKi0
— Nevada Gaming Control Board (@NevadaGCB) August 15, 2024
Executives under fire
An NGCB investigation found that Resorts World executives “negligently disregarded, or at worst, wrongfully ignored” illegal activity “for gain.”
“Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint," a Resorts World spokesperson told KSNV News 3 in Las Vegas. "We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines. We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members."
Edwin Ting, who was federally convicted of illegal gambling and has ties to organized crime, and Chad Iwamoto, who was convicted for transmitting wagering information and failing to file monthly tax returns for wages, were the two felons named in the complaint.
Another complaint
Bowyer took bets from Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter and friend who had access to the baseball star’s bank account. Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million to pay off gambling debts. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and false tax return charges in May and is awaiting sentencing.
Bowyer lost millions of dollars, according to the complaint. His wife is also implicated in the Resorts World investigation.
The NGCB filed a separate complaint against Nicole Bowyer, who allegedly profited from her husband’s wagering while serving as an independent agent contracted by Resorts World when her husband was gambling money he obtained illegally. The NGCB says Nicole Bowyer has not cooperated with the investigation.
“The Nevada Gaming Control Board is committed to protecting the state of Nevada, its citizens and its visitors, and Nevada’s vital gaming industry,” NGCB chairman Kirk Hendrick said in a statement. “All suspected violations of Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations will be fully investigated and disciplinary action will be filed when warranted.”
