Second-Largest Fine in Las Vegas History Approved Against Resorts World for Money Laundering

Posted on: March 27, 2025, 05:20h. 

Last updated on: March 28, 2025, 09:14h.

Corey Levitan Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

• A $10.5 million settlement against Resorts World has been approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission
• The fine settles money-laundering charges brought by the Nevada Control Board for events that happened in 2022 and 2023
• According to the terms of the settlement, Resorts World and its parent company don’t admit or deny any wrongdoing

As expected, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) on Thursday approved the $10.5 million settlement proposed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) as a fine for money laundering against Resorts World and its parent company, Genting Berhad.

The financial punishment from state gaming regulators — the second-largest in Nevada gaming history — resolves a 10-count disciplinary complaint, which amended a 12-count complaint filed in August. The decision to approve the settlement was made during the commission’s monthly meeting in Las Vegas.

The fine is second only to the $20 million paid by Wynn Resorts Ltd. in 2019 for failing to properly investigate sexual harassment allegations against its former CEO, Steve Wynn.

According to the terms of the settlement, Resorts World and Genting don’t admit or deny the allegations contained in the NGCB complaint.

Not by the Book

The NGCB alleged that Resorts World, acting under President Scott Sibella, allowed convicted federal felons and/or those tied to illegal bookmaking to gamble at its casino from 2021 to 2023.

The illegal bookmakers named were Matthew Bowyer — who famously placed bets from the interpreter of LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, according to the Associated Press — and Damien LeForbes, a gambler known host to be an illegal bookmaker by a casino host who sent him business, according to the NGCB.

Bowyer was allowed to gamble on 80 separate days between July 22, 2022, and Oct. 1, 2023, the NGCB alleged, losing $7.9 million in bets while receiving comps, promo chips, discounts, flights on the Resorts World jet, and other gifts.

LeForbes lost $10 million at Resorts World between Sept. 1, 2022, and Dec. 16, 2023, according to the NGCB complaint, and was also given gifts including comps and promo chips. His relationship with Resorts World ended when his casino host left.

In August 2024, LeForbes pleaded guilty in California to operating an illegal bookmaking business and money laundering charges.

Sibella was stripped of his gaming license in a separate investigation last December. That probe looked into allegations of gambling by illegal bookmakers stemming back to Sibella’s control of the MGM Grand. A combined $7.45 million fine was assessed against the MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

As part of the settlement, Resorts World has agreed to implement stricter anti-money laundering protocols and make leadership changes.

Overhaul

Since the NGCB complaint was first filed in August, Malaysia-based Genting has overhauled its Las Vegas executive roster, and appointed Alex Dixon as CEO in January. It also created a board of directors chaired by former MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, and featuring former NGCB chair A.G. Burnett and former Nevada Governor and Nevada Gaming Commission chair Brian Sandoval.

While Thursday’s settlement resolved the matter at the state level, the NGCB said it reserved the right to pursue further disciplinary action if federal authorities take action against Resorts World.

Approval of the settlement comes one day after Resorts World announced it had laid off “under 50” full-time employees, though it didn’t say why or what positions they occupied.