Resorts World Las Vegas Hit with Historic $10.5M Fine Over Illegal Bookmaker Ties

Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) has just been hit with a crushing $10.5 million fine, the second-largest penalty ever imposed in Nevada’s gaming history.

The substantial fine comes after allegations arose around the casino courting illegal bookmakers, including Damien LeForbes and the now infamous Mathew Bowyer, a Southern Californian bookmaker with unsavory ties to MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s disgraced former interpreter.

In what amounted to a unanimous 4-0 decision, the Nevada Gaming Commission initiated the penalty in the hope of deterring future incursions by other state casino resorts and bookmakers. Following the decision, Commissioner Brian Krolicki underscored the severity of Resorts World’s violations and described the scandal as “a profound teachable moment for the industry.”

Illegal Bookmaker Bowyer Frequently Gambled at Resorts World

 At the center of the dispute was controversial bookmaker Bowyer, who was found to be running an illegal gambling operation with over 700 clients. He had also racked up over $8 million in losses himself while gambling at Resorts World.

While Las Vegas casinos typically extend luxury perks to high-rollers – which often include the use of private jets – questions arose about Bowyer’s extended privileges, exorbitant losses, and how his wife had become his own personal RWLV casino host.

Despite Bowyer’s significant role in the ruling, the RWLV violations extend beyond the bookmaker, honing in on the casino’s dealings with convicted illegal gamblers as well.

Not only were these nefarious exchanges not reported, but the Nevada Gaming Commission also determined that RWLV’s executives knowingly failed to act accordingly and deemed them negligent and open to possible money laundering violations.

As part of the agreed settlement, the casino was directed to overhaul its leadership team and tighten its anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. In response, RWLV has since appointed a new CEO, Alex Dixon, and established a board of directors featuring industry heavyweights, including former MGM CEO Jim Murren.

Reflecting on RWLV’s swift boardroom clearout, Krolicki acknowledged the proactive steps being made, stating, “I believe this is a wonderful fix and a new pivot for Resorts World,” before calling them a “dream team.”

Nevertheless, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has since specified that should any future federal criminal, civil, or administrative actions be filed against RWLV, they, too, may initiate counterdisciplinary measures.

RWLV’s Struggles Continue, Vegas Strip Warned

 Ultimately, the fallout is not limited to the financial penalty. RWLV reported a 21% revenue drop in Q4 2024 and has since announced several staff redundancies.

Despite the scandal’s reverberations, the Nevada Gaming Commission insists the case should serve as a wake-up call, with Krolicki declaring, “I also believe this is a clarion call up and down [the Las Vegas Strip] that these rules are to be adhered to perfectly.”

The post Resorts World Las Vegas Hit with Historic $10.5M Fine Over Illegal Bookmaker Ties appeared first on CasinoBeats.

 Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) has just been hit with a crushing $10.5 million fine, the second-largest penalty ever imposed in Nevada’s gaming history. The substantial fine comes after allegations arose around the casino courting illegal bookmakers, including Damien LeForbes and the now infamous Mathew Bowyer, a Southern Californian bookmaker with unsavory ties to MLB
The post Resorts World Las Vegas Hit with Historic $10.5M Fine Over Illegal Bookmaker Ties appeared first on CasinoBeats.