The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, LLC and its parent and affiliated companies – namely Malaysia’s Genting Bhd – alleging the company failed to fulfill its responsibilities as a holder of a privileged Nevada gaming license by allowing individuals with suspected or proven ties to illegal activities to gamble on property.
In a statement dated 15 August 2024, the NGCB provided details of the 31-page complaint, which details how agents uncovered a lack of compliance within Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV), which it says 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 organized crime.”
Such individuals, it added, were allowed to place millions of dollars in wagers at RWLV over many months because the North Strip property failed to adhere to its Anti-Money Laundering Program.
“The culture within Resorts World created the perception, or the reality in certain instances, that Resorts World is an avenue to launder funds derived from illegal activity,” the NGCB said. “The NGCB investigation revealed acceptance among RWLV 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.”
The regulator added that RWLV’s actions or inactions caused damage to the reputation of the State of Nevada and Nevada’s gaming industry.
It also named a number of suspected or known felons who wagered at RWLV, including Mathew Bowyer, who pleaded guilty in federal court to operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return; Edwin Ting, who was convicted in federal court of conducting an illegal gambling business and is known to have ties to organized crime; and Chad Iwamoto, who was convicted in federal court of transmission of wagering information and failing to file monthly tax return for wages.
A separate disciplinary complaint has also been filed against Nicole Bowyer, wife of Mathew Bowyer, who is a registered independent agent contracted with RWLV. According to the NGCB, Ms Bowyer was, as an independent agent under contract with RWLV, allowed to directly profit from casino wagering by her husband and his friends at the property and received payment from RWLV despite “surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity.”
It added that Ms Bowyer has to date failed to cooperate with the NGCB’s investigation.
“The Nevada Gaming Control Board is committed to protecting the State of Nevada, its citizens and visitors, and Nevada’s vital gaming industry,” said NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick.
“All suspected violations of Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations will be fully investigated and disciplinary action will be filed when warranted.”
The regulator said RWLV and related parties have rights pursuant to the Nevada Gaming Control Act, including time to answer the allegations, request a hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission or reach a stipulated settlement with the NGCB.
Former RWLV President and COO Scott Sibella was let go from the company in September 2023 for violating company policy, with speculation at the time alleging his departure may have been related to an NGCB investigation into the property’s relationship with convicted bookmaker David Stroj. RWLV had self-reported when it learned Stroj may have held a stake in a restaurant within the property run by Stroj’s father.
The restaurant closed in 2022, while Sibella was cleared of any wrongdoing by the NGCB in February 2023.
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