MGM Resorts International will pay a US$8.5 million under a proposed settlement agreement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for allegedly facilitating the activities of two illegal bookmakers, as well as for deficiencies within its anti-money laundering program.
The settlement proposal will be considered by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) at its monthly meeting this Thursday 24 April.
According to a Friday notice, the NGCB has filed a complaint for disciplinary action alongside the proposed Stipulation for Settlement alleging “unsuitable methods of operation arising from the activities of illegal bookmaker, Wayne Nix” as well as “another illegal bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, which were discovered by the NGCB during the course of its investigation.”
Specifically, the complaint alleges MGM allowed Nix to gamble and launder cash at MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan, and that some casino hosts were funnelling MGM Sportsbook clients to the illegal sports betting operation of Bowyer.
“The complaint’s allegations center on the actions and failures of [MGM] employees in relation to Mr Nix and Mr Bowyer, as well as deficiencies within [MGM’s] anti-money laundering program,” the regulator stated in the notice. “The NGCB’s extensive and lengthy investigative process included cooperation from [MGM] executives and employees.”
It added that the proposed settlement dictates specific conditions be placed on [MGM] and on the properties’ gaming licenses, and that it details numerous remedial measures implemented at [MGM] and its subsidiary gaming properties.
“The majority of the conditions and remediations focus on enhancements to [MGM’s] AML program, as well as additional training and employee awareness of AML requirements,” it explained.
The proposed settlement bears striking similarities to a recent US$10.5 million agreement the NGCB reached with Resorts World Las Vegas in March for allegedly not fulfilling 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. Bowyer was also one of the individuals involved in that case.
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