Resorts World Las Vegas Faces Regulatory Action Over Ties To Illegal Bookie

Resorts World Las Vegas is facing serious allegations from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for reportedly allowing known illegal bookies and convicted felons to gamble at its casino, turning a blind eye to the source of their funds. According to this recent GCB complaint, the casino allegedly disregarded suspicious activities, prioritizing financial gain over legal compliance, leading to significant gaming law violations.

The complaint claims that Resorts World executives ignored red flags about certain gamblers, despite warnings from their anti-money laundering (AML) compliance committee. The committee had identified that some patrons, including known illegal bookie Matt Bowyer, were engaging in dubious activities. Bowyer, who had a history of facilitating illicit sports betting, was allowed to gamble and even lost over $7.9 million during his time at the casino. The casino also allowed Bowyer's wife, Nicole, to act as his independent agent, enabling her to earn commissions from his gambling activities, despite suspicions that the funds were linked to illegal activities.

The GCB's complaint highlights a broader issue of lax oversight within the casino's operations. Executives allegedly neglected to follow up on compliance warnings and failed to verify the source of funds for high-rolling patrons.

• Bowyer’s $1 million front money deposit was accepted without verifying its legitimacy.

• Compliance teams removed references to his illegal bookmaking activities from meeting records.

• Other high-risk gamblers were granted privileges despite known legal issues.

The allegations against Resorts World extend beyond Bowyer. Other patrons with criminal backgrounds, such as convicted illegal gambler Edwin Ting and felon Chad Iwamoto, were also allowed to gamble despite their histories. The casino allegedly continued to grant credit and gambling privileges to these individuals, ignoring the potential legal ramifications.

• Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto both maintained active gambling access.

• The casino failed to flag or restrict players with criminal histories.

• Credit lines were extended without sufficient background checks.

The complaint provides a scenario of a casino more focused on revenue generation than following regulatory requirements. The GCB has accused Resorts World of failing to exercise due diligence and properly enforce “Know Your Customer” (KYC) protocols, which are critical for preventing money laundering and other illegal activities.

• Leadership failed to enforce AML standards consistently.

• Compliance oversight was described as superficial and incomplete.

• Financial motivations allegedly overrode regulatory compliance.

Resorts World’s former president, Scott Sibella, who was on the AML compliance committee, claimed he never attended the meetings and relied on his team to handle compliance issues. However, the GCB holds the entire executive leadership responsible for the casino’s failure to enforce gaming regulations.

The investigation by the GCB is ongoing, with potential repercussions for Resorts World as the board continues to examine the casino's practices in light of these allegations. The outcome could lead to significant fines and stricter oversight. The GCB seeks to uphold the integrity of the Silver State gaming industry.