Resorts World Las Vegas in Hot Water With Nevada Regulators

Resorts World Las Vegas caught the ire of the Nevada Gaming Control Board last Thursday as the regulatory body accused the gambling outfit of violating Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws for state providers. Nevada has more wagering opportunities than most states, although our best sportsbooks are primarily available as in-person options.

AML laws require employees to report suspicious activity and any violations, something all Nevada sports betting operators have to adhere to. Resorts World staff allegedly did not comply with this policy on several occasions. The situation came into the spotlight when convicted illegal bookie Matthew Bowyer was caught operating an illegal gambling business and using Resorts World casino to place his bets. 

Bowyer was allowed to use Resorts World markets for 15 months, despite his criminal past.

“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,” Nevada regulators identified in the complaint.

More on the complaint

Matthew Bowyer, last week pleaded guilty to working closely on illegal gambling activity with Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shotei Ohtani, who infamously stole money from his boss to place illegal sports wagers.

It is alleged that Resorts World “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.” That includes Bowyer.

A 31-page, 12-count complaint by the Nevada Gaming Control Board cited several incidents of flagged individuals placing millions of dollars worth of wagers in Las Vegas with the multi-billion dollar gambling facility.  

According to the NGCB, Resorts World lacked oversight and compliance with the state's Anti-Money Laundering laws through its relationship with individuals tied to illegal gambling. Proper vetting of clientele was not adhered to, and Bowyer’s previous illegal activity should have been known and addressed by the gambling provider. 

Individuals named in the complaint

The most high-profile person named in the Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint, as mentioned, is Matthew Bowyer, an associate of the now-disgraced, criminally convicted former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara. He has admitted stealing at least $16 million from the baseball superstar and funding his gambling addiction.

Bowyer, an unlicensed bookie, was charged with running the illegal betting operation earlier this year in connection with the Mizuhara case and pleaded guilty on Aug. 9. His charges included money laundering and filing a false tax return. For his part, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax charges.

According to the report, Bowyer parlayed relationships he forged with Resorts World employees to access the sportsbook’s markets. 

Edwin Ting, who has ties to organized crime and was previously convicted of illegal gambling, along with Chad Iwamoto, who is also a convicted felon are also cited in the report. The latter had previously been convicted of transmitting betting information and faulty tax return reporting.

Clamping down

The Nevada Gaming Control Board, through its latest investigation is demonstrating that it is committed to clamping down on illegal gambling in the state. 

A statement by board Chairman Kirk Hendrick read, “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.”

For its part, Resorts World is saying all the right things, despite doing the wrong things. Resorts World responded to the charges against the company by saying that, “Legal compliance and ethical business practices are at the core of our business. The company regards attempts at money laundering as a threat to the integrity of the company, the gaming industry, and the entire financial system.”

Regulators in Nevada are seeking a multi-million fine for Resorts World and could approach tens of millions.