The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a 31-page complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, accusing the casino of allowing gamblers with ties to illegal bookmaking and organized crime to gamble on its premises.
The complaint, released on Thursday, alleges 12 violations related to money laundering. If proven, these violations could result in millions of dollars in fines for Resorts World and its parent company, the Malaysia-based Genting Group.
According to the complaint, Resorts World “welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and connections to organized crime.”
The report further asserts that “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” and that Resorts World executives “at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or, at worst, willfully ignored [illegal activity] for financial gain.”
The complaint also identifies suspected or known felons who have been wagering at Resorts World, notably Matthew Bowyer, the bookie at the center of the Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal, who pleaded guilty to illegal sports betting charges in court last week.
Other figures named by the Board include Edwin Ting, known for his ties to organized crime, Chad Iwamoto, previously convicted on a gambling charge, and an unnamed illegal bookmaker.
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.
– Nevada Gaming Control Board
Resorts World’s Response and Industry Impact
Resorts World, one of the newer properties on the Las Vegas Strip, opened in June 2021 at an eye-watering cost of $4.3 billion. Situated at the north end of the Strip, the resort boasts around 3,500 hotel rooms and features a diverse array of world-class entertainment and gaming options, including poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, and more.
In response to the complaint from the NGCB, a Resorts World spokesperson stated, “Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) complaint. We are committed to conducting business with the highest level of integrity and in strict adherence to applicable laws and industry standards.”
The spokesperson went on to add, “We have been actively engaging with the GCB to address and resolve these issues, allowing us to refocus on providing exceptional experiences for our guests and supporting our nearly 5,000 team members.”
Meanwhile, NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick underscored the Board’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry, saying, “The Nevada Gaming Control Board is dedicated to protecting the State of Nevada, its citizens, and visitors, as well as the vital gaming industry.”
Hendrick added, “We will thoroughly investigate all suspected violations of Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken as warranted.”
A 2023 study by the American Gaming Association (AGA) found that Nevada’s casinos contribute $59.6 billion annually to the state’s economy, support over 330,000 jobs, and generate $8 billion in tax revenue. As the leading gaming state in the US, Nevada’s industry remains vital to the state’s economic health and stability.
Read the Nevada Gaming Control Board Complaint in full on the NGCB’s X account:
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