The popular resort casino Resorts World Las Vegas is alleged to have violated Nevada’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Laws. Facing a million-dollar fine and the risk of losing the gambling license.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a 12-count disciplinary complaint against the Resorts World Las Vegas owner Genting Group, alleging the casino to have allowed known illegal bookmarks to gamble millions of dollars without any proper verification of fund sources.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board named the owner Genting Group on a 31-page filing on August 15, 2024. NGCB can take a multi-million dollar fine, including revoking Resorts World’s gambling license.
The prime culprit of this complaint is the illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who earlier this month pleaded guilty in the federal court to operating an illegal gambling business. He is guilty of money laundering and filing a false tax return to save himself from high taxes.
According to the Gaming Control Board, the convict has gambled millions of dollars at Resorts World Las Vegas without any sources for the funds. As per the complaint, Mathew Bowyer gambled at RWLV for 15 months and lost over $6.6 million.
The casino is accused of offering premium services to Mathew Bowyer, including extended gifts, discounts, and offering private jets for travel purposes. The Control Board mentioned that Resorts World has its own Anti-Money Laundering committee, which failed to provide the source of funds when first evaluating Bowyer in July 2022.
After failing to provide the SOF, Resorts World’s AML Committee was required to complain to the bar regarding banning or restricting the players from gambling in Vegas Casinos. However, the AML committee neglected the situation, allowing Bowyer to gamble millions of dollars at Resorts World.
The Control Board also alleged Resorts World knew about Bowyer being an illegal bookmaker. “Resorts World knew, or should have known, that Bowyer was likely engaged in illegal bookmaking,” NGCB reported.
Bowyer is also connected to the California sports betting scandal involving baseball player Shohei Ohtani.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board also named Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto in the complaint. Both of them are convicted of various illegal gambling actions.
On August 16, 2024, Genting Group released a statement saying that it took the allegations very seriously and is communicating with the board to resolve the issues. “Gent and subsidiaries are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity,” Genting Group said, “and in line with applicable laws and industry guidelines.”
The Resorts World Las Vegas has a well-equipped poker room with 30 tables and daily tournaments on offer. After these series allegations, the casino is in hot water and it is likely to lose its license, which will result in a huge disappointment for poker players who come to play their favourite game – poker.
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