Resorts World Las Vegas has until Dec. 9 to formally respond to a 12-count complaint released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). The complaint states multiple instances of failure to comply with anti-money laundering provisions, which allowed individuals known to or suspected to have ties to illegal gambling activities to play at Resorts World’s property.
The NGCB granted a deadline extension to provide a formal response in August, with an email from the board confirming the new due date.
“Resorts World Las Vegas requested, and the Board agreed to, an extension of time in which it must file a response to the Board’s Complaint up to and including December 9, 2024,” read the statement.
Suspects and convicted felons gambling at Resorts World
On Aug. 15, the NGCB issued a 31-page complaint describing 12 counts that known and suspected felons had wagered at Resorts World over the past several months. Names included Mathew Bowyer, who only a week prior had pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business and was charged with money laundering and false tax returns; Edwin Ting, who had been convicted of conducting an illegal gambling business and was known to be connected to organized crime; and Chad Iwamoto, who had been convicted of transmission of wagering information and not filing monthly tax returns for wages. Both Ting and Iwamoto were convicted in federal court.
'Overall lack of control'
The investigation described an “overall lack of control” and an “acceptance among Resorts World executives” of unlawful behavior to the extent the casino became perceived as an avenue to launder funds and further criminal activity.
According to the NGCB, the casino fostered a culture in which “individuals with suspected and actual ties to illegal bookmaking, with histories of federal convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and with a history of ties to organized crime” felt welcomed. These include Bowyer, the bookmaker that took illegal wagers from MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and placed bets at Resorts World.
Former Resorts World executive indicted
The complaint also includes Resorts World’s former president and COO, Scott Sibella, who was charged with violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) during his tenure at the MGM Grand Casino and Hotel, where he worked before joining Resorts World. According to the charge, Sibella did not correctly report the suspicious financial transactions of Wayne Nix, a since-convicted illegal bookmaker.
Sibella pleaded guilty in May, was sentenced to a one-year probation, and ordered to pay a fine of less than $10,000. The NGCB is still investigating Sibella, although the details remain undisclosed.
Possible consequences for Resorts World
In its complaint, the NGCB recommends the state’s regulating agency, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC), impose sanctions against Resorts World.
It suggests the NGC should impose a fine for each violation and that the commission take action against Resort World’s “license(s), registrations, and/or findings of suitability.”
Should Resorts World’s license be revoked or suspended, the complaint states the NGC could consider appointing an external supervisor so the casino may continue to operate and its employees can keep their jobs.
