Resorts World Las Vegas Faces Large Fines for Alleged Money Laundering By Gamblers

On Thursday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) announced its intention to impose a financial penalty on Resorts World Las Vegas, as the casino reportedly allowed illegal bookmakers to gamble without disclosing the source of their funds. 

The NGCB reports that Resorts World may be liable for millions in fines due to unlawful money laundering activities. 

The NGCB charges were outlined in a 12-count, 31-page disciplinary complaint aimed at Resorts World and its associated companies.

"Resorts World … allowed a culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and ties to organized crime,” according to a NGCB statement.

“The NGCB investigation revealed acceptance among Resorts World executives of a culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or, at worst, willfully ignored for financial gain,” the statement added.

Bowyer Included in Allegation 

Included in the NGCB filing was California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, 49. Earlier this month, he admitted guilt to running an unlawful gambling operation, laundering money, and filing a fraudulent tax return. 

Bowyer is expected to receive a prison term ranging from 30 to 37 months when he goes to court next year. 

According to ESPN, he allegedly “transferred or instructed the transfer” of no less than $9.3M to Resorts World Las Vegas. He allegedly lost a minimum of $4 million at the gambling venue. 

Bowyer's clientele included professional athletes, as well as Ippei Mizuhara, the translator for MLB Los Angeles Dodgers standout Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara took around $17M from Ohtani to settle huge gambling debts. 

According to the Nevada Independent, the illegal gambling largely took place during Scott Sibella's presidency at Resorts World. His name wasn’t mentioned in the filing. 

In May, Sibella admitted guilt to breaching the Bank Secrecy Act while he was in charge of MGM Grand Las Vegas. Subsequently, he was let go from Resorts World. 

Connections to Criminal Organizations 

The filing made on Thursday also included Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto. Both were found guilty of illegal gambling. The NGCB statement disclosed that Ting is "recognized for having connections to organized crime." 

In another NGCB complaint, Nicole Bowyer, the wife of Mathew Bowyer, was mentioned. She supposedly gained from Mathew Bowyer's betting activities, acting as an independent agent.

"Ms. Bowyer received payment from Resorts World despite surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity,” according to the NGCB statement. Nicole Bowyer has allegedly failed to cooperate with the NGCB investigation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Resorts World announced it was “in active communication” with the NGCB “to address these issues so we can proceed and concentrate on our guests and close to 5,000 team members,” according to the Independent.