Resorts World Las Vegas Accused Of Major Breaches In Its License By Regulator

A disciplinary complaint filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board has alleged misconduct at one of the largest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip – Resorts World Las Vegas. According to the complaint the casino turned a blind eye to illegal bookmaking, individuals with histories of gambling-related felony convictions, and even connections to organized crime.

The 31-page complaint filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board outlines a litany of alleged breaches by Resorts World Las Vegas. At the heart of the allegations is the casino’s relationship with Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker who pleaded guilty last week in federal court to running an illegal gambling business.

According to the complaint, Resorts World allowed Bowyer to play on the casino’s premises for over 80 separate days spanning approximately 15 months. During this time, the casino repeatedly failed to verify the source of Bowyer’s funding, despite the fact that he lost over $6.6 million while there. The complaint alleges that Resorts World even extended gifts, discounts, and private jet flights to Bowyer.

The disciplinary complaint also alleges that Resorts World extended hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit to individuals with histories of illegal gambling convictions or known connections to organized crime. One such individual was convicted of running an illegal gambling business, while another was involved in a large-scale internet gambling operation.

The complaint further alleges that Resorts World employees failed to report unusual or suspicious activity, as well as violations of the casino’s own anti-money laundering program, to their superiors. Members of the program committee reportedly acknowledged during the board’s investigation that Bowyer’s source of funding did not justify his level of play.

The Nevada Gaming Commission, which has the authority to take disciplinary action, now faces a critical decision. According to experts, the commission has a range of options at its disposal, including fining the company, revoking Resorts World’s gaming license, or even forcing out key executives.

As Michael Green, an associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, notes, the commission has the power to revoke Resorts World’s gaming license, which would be a rare and significant step. “They can decide to revoke the license. They can decide no, that’s too much, there should be fines. There are executives who might be forced out. So they have some latitude here. And they’re always hesitant to go that far, because you can’t be sure of the long-term effects.”

Alternatively, the commission could opt for less severe punishments, such as imposing substantial fines on the casino or forcing the removal of certain executives. However, as Green notes, the commission is often hesitant to take such drastic actions, as the long-term implications can be difficult to predict.

In response to the disciplinary complaint, Resorts World Las Vegas has stated that it is communicating with the Nevada Gaming Control Board to resolve the issues so that the casino can “focus on its guests and nearly 5,000 employees.” The casino has also emphasized its commitment to “doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines.”