**A Brief Overview of Sibella’s Legal Tangle**
Just as the infamous Al Capone was finally apprehended through tax evasion charges, Sibella found himself facing a fate reminiscent of symbolic justice. He suggested that federal authorities in California aimed to convey a strong message by using his situation as an exemplar. His high-profile role seemingly made him vulnerable, he maintained, as he bore the brunt of consequences meant for casino executives throughout Las Vegas. Remarkably, he stands alone thus far in receiving sentencing linked to a massive illegal gambling scandal.
In Sibella’s words, to his knowledge, no hotel president had ever personally filed a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR). Instead, he emphasized that these tasks were always left to compliance personnel. He pointed out that since the investigation started, MGM Resorts had severed ties with numerous veteran bookmakers.
The commission’s session primarily served as a formality to finalize the groundwork conducted by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Apart from Commissioner Abbi Silver, who abstained due to her friendship with Sibella, the motion passed without significant commentary.
The session spanned approximately 20 minutes, with Sibella participating remotely via Zoom due to travel constraints under his parole. His Nevada gaming license is now annulled, accompanied by a $10,000 fine. While there is a theoretical possibility of appealing the license revocation in five years, the industry is unlikely to welcome the 62-year-old back considering the offenses he has acknowledged. In some ways, the proceedings marked an unceremonious end to his career.
Commissioner Brian Krolicki expressed hope for closure and healing before the vote unfolded.
**Casinos Face Fines, Not Prosecution**
Subsequent to the probe, MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan paid $7.5 million collectively under a non-prosecution pact with the Department of Justice. Sibella was adamant that he had no direct involvement in Nix’s illegal bookmaking activities. He clarified that while they occasionally placed informal bets, there was no “vigorish,” or additional charge or fee, involved. He did not hold funding with Mr. Nix, nor did he authorize customer services on Nix’s behalf beyond what MGM’s protocols determined.
Nix is awaiting his sentencing, scheduled for March 26, 2025.
**Pointing Blame at MGM**
Sibella’s regulatory and legal predicament traced back to a single contentious issue. In July 2018, while serving as president and COO of MGM Grand, Wayne Nix made a substantial cash marker payment at the casino. Such transactions typically mandate the filing of an SAR, but Sibella failed to do so. This misstep was pivotal to his downfall.
In May, Sibella was sentenced to probation and fined $9,600 in California federal court for his offense. The plea agreement highlighted his awareness of Nix’s illicit bookmaking but noted his reluctance to act for fear of losing Nix’s gambling business. Addressing the commission, Sibella largely attributed the oversight to MGM’s regulatory practices.
He mentioned never attending compliance meetings or engaging with compliance committees at MGM. He believed Nix had been thoroughly vetted by MGM’s credit and compliance departments since Nix had been actively involved there for years.
**Scandal Extends Beyond Sibella**
The controversy leading to Sibella’s downfall is merely part of a broader scandal. Post-MGM, Sibella assumed the role of president and COO at Resorts World Las Vegas, which is also entangled in anti-money laundering issues with ties to illegal bookmaking. Last September, Sibella was terminated from Resorts World for violating company policies.
Subsequent investigations by the NGCB revealed Resorts World’s infractions. Mathew Bowyer, another unauthorized bookie linked to Nix, was also found to have conducted illegal activities at Resorts World. Ippei Mizuhara, former MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, was convicted of stealing millions from Ohtani to cover debts to Bowyer. Resorts World had even employed Bowyer’s wife to oversee his gambling activities personally.
Reflecting on his career, Sibella expressed remorse for hurting his family and for having become a pariah in an industry he once championed in Las Vegas.
Before the vote, Commissioner George Markantonis didn’t hold back, reminding his MGM colleagues of their failure to support Sibella.
**Resorts World’s Ongoing Challenges**
Despite Sibella’s departure, Resorts World contends with heavy penalties. The casino has until December 9 to address a 12-point complaint from the NGCB. Their response remains undisclosed.
On December 6, Resorts World reshuffled its leadership team, appointing Alex Dixon as the new CEO and forming a new board, chaired by former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren, who had knowledge of allegations against Sibella and others from as early as 2019.
To date, Resorts World has not commented on Murren’s new role.