Nevada Has Levied a $10.5 Million Fine on Resorts World Las Vegas
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has agreed with Resorts World Las Vegas following an investigation tied to Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter’s bookmaker. The agreement calls for a $10.5 million fine for alleged violations of anti-money laundering protocols.
Resorts World Las Vegas stuck with a $10.5M fine.
Key Facts:
- The $10.5 million fine is the second-biggest ever handed out in Nevada for a gaming violation
- Bookmaker with ties to criminal enterprises wagered millions at Resorts World Las Vegas casino
- Former Resorts World employees allegedly were aware of bookmaker’s illegal gaming activity
- Activity at Resorts World Las Vegas violated anti-money laundering (AML) protocols
The NGCB’s investigation culminated in a 12-count complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV), citing serious AML compliance failures. Given the scope of the allegations, speculation mounted over whether the regulatory body would issue a record-breaking fine against the casino operator.
The proposed resolution includes a $10.5 million penalty allocated to the Nevada general fund. While substantial, this fine remains well below the historic $20 million penalty imposed on Wynn Resorts in 2019.
In addition to the financial penalty, the settlement outlines stringent conditions that may be imposed on RWLV’s gaming licenses. These stipulations aim to resolve an amended complaint alleging prolonged operational deficiencies deemed unsuitable by state regulators.
Central to the allegations are illicit gambling activities conducted within the RWLV property, specifically linked to bookmakers Mathew Bowyer and Damien Leforbes. Both individuals are currently awaiting sentencing on federal money laundering charges.
In 2019, Wynn Resorts was slapped with a substantial $20 million fine from the NGCB for failing to address sexual misconduct allegations against its founder, Steve Wynn.
Regulatory Findings and Compliance Violations
Last August, the NGCB released a 31-page complaint detailing RWLV’s alleged compliance failures, particularly concerning offshore wagering facilitated by Bowyer.
Bowyer, a southern California-based bookmaker, reportedly managed an illegal operation with as many as 700 clients. His illicit enterprise processed approximately $325 million in sports bets from Ippei Mizuhara, the disgraced former interpreter of Dodgers’ superstar and 2024 National League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani.
Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for bank fraud and tax evasion charges last month. According to regulatory filings in Nevada, Bowyer visited RWLV at least 80 times over 14 months ending in October 2023, sustaining gambling losses exceeding $6.6 million.
Overall, his recorded losses at the casino totaled approximately $7.9 million. RWLV, a $4.2 billion property that opened in June 2021, is the most expensive casino development in Las Vegas history. The fine is a blemish on a previously respected reputation in the city.
Sources familiar with the matter describe Bowyer as a key figure in one of the nation’s most extensive illegal betting networks. His wife, Nicole Bowyer, has corroborated these assertions, portraying him as one of the country’s most prolific bookmakers.
His clients often included very wealthy individuals who gambled millions with Bowyer. In some cases, those clients may have been unaware they were dealing with an illegal bookmaker.
Legal Complications and Regulatory Scrutiny
In August of 2024, the NGCB filed two complaints against Mrs Bowyer, alleging she acted as an RWLV casino host for her husband’s gambling activities. During a January hearing, her legal representatives sought a settlement.
However, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) rejected the proposed resolution. Several commissioners argued for a more severe penalty than initially recommended by the NGCB.
Further scrutiny of RWLV’s internal processes revealed concerns regarding Bowyer’s status as a VIP gambler. The casino’s AML committee reviewed his file on multiple occasions, with some members questioning whether his declared sources of funds aligned with his substantial betting activity.
During a March 2023 committee meeting, Bowyer was explicitly identified as a bookmaker, according to the complaint. However, just two months earlier, an executive had successfully petitioned for that designation to be removed from his records.
Resorts World Las Vegas has publicly reiterated its commitment to compliance, emphasizing that its AML program adheres to Title 31 of the Bank Secrecy Act. The casino asserts that it upholds a risk-based AML framework with robust internal controls to prevent illicit financial activities.
RWLV has also stated that it views money laundering as a direct threat to its integrity, as well as to the broader gaming industry and financial system.
As regulatory proceedings continue, the NGCB’s proposed settlement underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding AML compliance within Nevada’s gaming sector. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for future enforcement actions against casino operators failing to meet regulatory obligations.
