The Nevada Gaming Control Board has served Resorts World Las Vegas with a disciplinary complaint claiming illegal bookmakers and individuals with suspected links to illegal gambling have been allowed to gamble on its gaming floor.
A 12-count complaint said Resorts World had ‘a culture that welcomed’ people with links to illegal gambling, including bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. Mr Bowyer is said to have frequented Resorts World on 80 different days between July 2022 and October 2023, losing more than $6.6m, which could equate to money laundering. Another gambler, Edwin Ting, has links to organised crime, whilst Chad Iwamoto, was found guilty of a gambling-related charge.
The board stated: “The culture within Resorts World created the perception, or the reality in certain circumstances, that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds derived from illegal activity. The disciplinary action is the result of an extensive investigation by NGCB Enforcement Agents into alleged violations of the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) Regulations. The NGCB alleges that Resorts World failed to fulfil its responsibilities as the holder of a privileged Nevada gaming license.
“Resorts World’s actions or inactions caused damage to the reputation of the State of Nevada and Nevada’s gaming industry. Agents uncovered a lack of compliance within Resorts World, which 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 organised crime. The complaint asserts that specific individuals were allowed to place millions of dollars in wagers at Resorts World over many months because Resorts World failed to adhere to an Anti-Money Laundering program. The culture within Resorts World crated the perception, or the reality in certain instances, that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds derived from illegal activity. The NGCB investigation revealed acceptance among Resorts World executives of a culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at the minimum, negligently disregarded, or at worst wilfully ignored for financial gain.”
“Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) complaint,” a Resorts World spokesperson said. “We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines. We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members.”
NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick said: “The Nevada Gaming Control Board is committed to protecting the State of Nevada, its citizens and visitors and Nevada’s vital gaming industry. All suspected violations of Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations will be fully investigated and disciplinary action will be filed when warranted.”
In terms of the punishment, Michael Green, an associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, said: “The commission has the power to decide what it wants to do with this. They can decide to revoke the license. They can decide no, that’s too much, there should be fines. There are executives who might be forced out. So they have some latitude here. And they’re always hesitant to go that far, because you can’t be sure of the long-term effects.”
