Sibella remains the sole individual sentenced in connection to an extensive illegal sports betting operation. Wayne Nix, who was extended credit by Sibella while running an illegal book, Mathew Bowyer, managing up to 700 clients in his unauthorized bookmaking business, and Ippei Mizuhara, who embezzled $17 million from baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani for gambling purposes, are all pending their court rulings. These cases are under consideration in the US District Court in Southern California, with all involved parties admitting guilt and facing different levels of imprisonment and fines.
Nix’s sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2025, Bowyer will face sentencing on February 7, 2025, and Mizuhara will be sentenced on January 24, 2025. The cases are interconnected, with Nix and Bowyer collaborating on an illegal sportsbook, while Mizuhara placed bets through Bowyer.
### Sibella Fined and Penalized
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sibella will be included on the NCGB’s list of denials and revocations, with his license revoked for five years starting from December 2023. Moreover, he is fined $10,000. Earlier sentenced in May in the US District Court, Sibella received one year of probation and was ordered to pay $9,600 in fines and fees. At that time, he took full accountability for his actions, acknowledging that while he was at MGM Grand, he had heard about Nix’s illegal activities but chose to ignore these facts.
In his plea statement, Sibella remarked on his conscious avoidance, stating, “In this business, bookies are common… I stayed out of it. If we know, we can’t let them gamble. I didn’t ask because he wasn’t harming the casino.” This denial eventually impacted Sibella’s career prospects in the gambling industry, and other state regulators might be hesitant to employ him due to the revocation. Having a valid license might also be necessary for potential employment in various jurisdictions.
### Complaint Filed by NGCB Against Resorts World
Prior to the peak of the investigation, Sibella left MGM Grand. Resorts World terminated his employment in September 2023, after which the NCGB lodged a complaint against the resort. The complaint cited 12 violations concerning anti-money laundering and the California betting scandal. Resorts World had a deadline of December 9 to respond, though the response remains undisclosed.
To date, the NGCB hasn’t taken action or disclosed any infractions against MGM Grand.