Resorts World Las Vegas Faces $10.5 Million Fine from Gaming Regulators
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) announced on Thursday evening that it is pursuing a $10.5 million penalty against Resorts World and its parent companies. The penalty would settle a 10-count disciplinary issue, which revised a 12-count issue submitted in August.
The NGCB claims that Resorts World, led by President Scott Sibella, permitted convicted federal criminals and/or individuals associated with illegal bookmaking to wager at its casino between 2021 and 2023.
Its penalty would rank as the second highest in Nevada’s history, following a $20 million fine paid by Wynn Resorts in 2019 to the NGCB for not adequately investigating sexual harassment claims against its former CEO, Steve Wynn.
Not by the BookThe NGCB's complaint from August, lodged against Genting Berhad and five other Resorts World operators, claims “inappropriate operational methods” related to illegal bookmakers Matthew Bowyer and Damien LeForbes.
According to the Associated Press, Bowyer was the unlicensed bookmaker who accepted wagers from the interpreter of LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani. The NGCB claims he was permitted to gamble on 80 different days from July 22, 2022, to Oct. 1, 2023, losing $7.9 million in wagers while obtaining comps, promotional chips, discounts, flights on the Resorts World jet, and additional gifts.
LeForbes was a bettor acknowledged as an unlawful bookmaker by a casino host who referred him clients, according to the NGCB. In August 2024, he admitted to guilt in California for running an unlawful bookmaking operation and faced money laundering accusations.
LeForbes incurred a loss of $10 million at Resorts World from Sept. 1, 2022, to Dec. 16, 2023, as stated in the NGCB complaint, and received gifts such as comps and promotional chips. His connection with Resorts World concluded when his casino host departed.
“This culture results in the perception and/or reality that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds derived from illegal activity and/or to further criminal activity causing damage to the reputation of the State of Nevada and Nevada’s gaming industry,” according to the August NGCB complaint.
Sibella had his gaming license revoked in an unrelated inquiry last December. The investigation examined claims of gambling by illicit bookmakers dating back to Sibella’s management of the MGM Grand. A total fine of $7.45 million was imposed on the MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The suggested agreement between the NGCB and Resorts World requires approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, which has included the issue on the agenda for its meeting scheduled for March 27.
