The complex ongoing legal story involving Resorts World Las Vegas was analysed on the latest episode of the iGamingDaily, as Jessica Welman, Editor of SBC Americas shared her insight on the case that continues to unfold.
The latest developments saw the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) file a disciplinary complaint against the casino, as well as its parent and affiliated companies and individuals working at the property.
Key to the allegations is Scott Sibella, who recently pled guilty to money laundering charges stemming from his previous tenure at MGM Resorts. It has also emerged that he extended credit to individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking while working at Resorts World.
According to the NGCB complaint, Resorts World allegedly failed to meet anti-money laundering (AML) standards when they extended credit to Matthew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker charged with operating an illegal sports betting ring with clients including Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
The complaint also alleges that the casino failed to bar, ban or restrict Edward Ting and Chad Iwamoto, who have both been found guilty of illegal gambling activities in the past.
Welman emphasised that the allegations are a stain on the industry and ‘a bad look’ for a Vegas casino.
She added that there has been a “major failing” of the systems that are supposed to be in place to ensure that proof of funds is provided when a line of credit is extended to a patron.
On potential punishments for Resorts World, she continued: “I don’t know what they’re going to do to them, but it’s got to be big. These are fundamentals that you should know about approving clients. In Nevada, there are massive amounts of rules that you have to follow and this wasn’t just an oversight.
“The record fine for a Nevada casino I believe is $20m and I would think that you go higher. There’s probably at least one conversation at the NGCB about ‘Does this casino deserve a license?’. [However] I think once you build a $2bn property, it gets complicated. You put that investment in jobs and you don’t want to put those people out of a job.”
