Resorts World Las Vegas has agreed to pay a $10.5 million fine as part of a proposed settlement with Nevada gaming regulators, resolving allegations that the Strip casino failed to adequately monitor and report suspicious financial activity, including dealings with two known illegal bookmakers.
The stipulation, submitted March 20 to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, stems from a months-long investigation into what Nevada gaming regulators described as “unsuitable methods of operation” at the property. The Nevada Gaming Commission is scheduled to review and vote on the settlement at its March 27 meeting.
If approved, the fine would be the second-largest in Nevada’s history, behind only the $20 million levied against Wynn Resorts in 2019.
“Resorts World Las Vegas has reached a pending settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” the company said in a statement. “We look forward to the Nevada Gaming Commission considering the settlement and ultimately resolving this matter.”
Ohtani interpreter tied to bookie
The NGCB’s initial complaint, filed in August 2023 and later amended, centers on two high-rolling gamblers with federal criminal cases: Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer and professional poker player Damien Leforbes.
Bowyer, who pleaded guilty last year to operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering, lost nearly $8 million at Resorts World over the course of more than 80 visits, according to the complaint. His name also surfaced in connection with Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani whose massive betting losses were linked to Bowyer’s operation.
Leforbes, who is awaiting sentencing on separate federal money laundering charges, lost approximately $10 million at the casino over a similar span, according to the complaint.
According to the NGCB complaint, Resorts World staff were aware of red flags tied to both gamblers. In Bowyer’s case, the casino’s internal compliance team reportedly questioned his funding sources multiple times. At one point, a discussion of Bowyer’s alleged bookmaking activity was removed from his file following an internal request, per the complaint.
Compliance gaps and executive oversight
The board’s complaint outlined broader failings in Resorts World’s anti-money laundering protocols and oversight culture. Regulators alleged that known or suspected illegal bookmakers with felony histories were not only allowed to play at the property but were treated as VIP guests.
“The operation and its employees failed to demonstrate the necessary level of diligence expected from a Nevada licensee,” the NGCB wrote in its findings.
These failures overlapped with the tenure of Scott Sibella, the resort’s former president and COO, who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a separate federal case for failing to report suspicious activity. The company terminated Sibella in September 2023.
Resorts World settlement terms
In addition to the financial penalty, Resorts World has agreed to sweeping internal reforms. The proposed settlement includes the following:
- Mandatory anti-money laundering training for key employees.
- Hiring additional compliance personnel.
- Retention of AML training records for a minimum of five years.
- Submission of periodic AML compliance reports to the NGCB.
- Annual third-party reviews of its AML program.
- An independent audit of AML compliance two years after the agreement is finalized.
