License loss likely

Nicole Bowyer, wife of the bookmaker tied to the betting scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, stands to lose her license with a Las Vegas casino.

Nicole accepted payment from Resorts World Las Vegas

The likely revocation stems from an August Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint claiming Nicole accepted payment from Resorts World Las Vegas, despite knowing at least some of husband Mathew Bowyer’s source of funds came from illegal activity. 

Nicole works as an independent agent with the Genting-owned casino, but that arrangement could end if the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) accepts a stipulation for settling the complaint against her at its next meeting.

Settlement terms

On Thuresday, the five-member NGC will consider a settlement in which Nicole admits to all charges brought by the Attorney General’s office. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, as part of that settlement, Nicole also agrees to have her Nevada gaming license with Resorts World revoked for a minimum of five years. 

While Nicole could reapply for licensing after this period, however, in admitting the AG’s charges she’ll also voluntarily “waive her right to a public hearing on charges and allegations and the right to obtain judicial review of the commission’s decision.”

Nicole must fully cooperate with the NGCB, federal, and state/local law enforcement

Under terms of the settlement, Nicole must fully cooperate with the NGCB, federal, and state/local law enforcement in the knowledge any information she divulges within the settlement could be used towards other pending cases under NGCB consideration. 

The settlement comes after Mathew illegally accepted thousands of wagers from Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, who later admitted to stealing almost $17m from the baseball star to cover his debts with Nicole’s husband.

Mathew agreed to plead guilty to various related charges before the NGCB issued the complaint against his wife in August, the same day the Board filed a disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas.

World of troubles

The news of Nicole’s license with the Vegas Strip casino owned by Malaysia-headquartered Genting being potentially revoked serves as an added reminder of Resorts World’s Nevada troubles. 

The NGCB’s 12-count complaint against the casino essentially accused the Resorts World casino of being a haven for criminal activity. The NGCB extended the casino’s deadline to respond to its complaint to December 9.