As anticipated, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) on Thursday sanctioned the $10.5 million settlement suggested by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) as a penalty for money laundering against Resorts World and its parent entity, Genting Berhad. 

The monetary penalty imposed by state gaming regulators — the second-largest in Nevada's gaming history — settles a 10-count disciplinary action, which modified a 12-count complaint submitted in August. The choice to endorse the settlement occurred at the commission's monthly gathering in Las Vegas. 

The penalty ranks just below the $20 million that Wynn Resorts Ltd. paid in 2019 for not adequately probing sexual harassment claims against its former CEO, Steve Wynn. 

Under the settlement terms, Resorts World and Genting neither admit nor deny the allegations made in the NGCB complaint. 

Not according to the Book 

The NGCB claimed that Resorts World, under President Scott Sibella’s leadership, permitted convicted federal felons and/or individuals associated with illegal bookmaking to gamble at its casino between 2021 and 2023. 

The illegal bookmakers mentioned were Matthew Bowyer — who notably made bets through the interpreter for LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, as reported by the Associated Press — and Damien LeForbes, a gambler recognized by a casino host who referred clients to him as being an illegal bookmaker, according to the NGCB. 

The NGCB claimed that Bowyer was permitted to gamble on 80 different days from July 22, 2022, to Oct. 1, 2023, losing $7.9 million in wagers while obtaining comps, promo chips, discounts, flights on the Resorts World jet, and additional gifts. 

LeForbes incurred a loss of $10 million at Resorts World from Sept. 1, 2022, to Dec. 16, 2023, as stated in the NGCB complaint, and received gifts like comps and promotional chips. His connection with Resorts World concluded when his casino host departed. 

In August 2024, LeForbes admitted guilt in California for running an unlawful bookmaking operation and money laundering offenses. 

Sibella had his gaming license revoked in a different investigation last December. The investigation examined claims of illegal gambling by bookmakers linked to Sibella’s management of the MGM Grand. A total fine of $7.45 million was imposed on the MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. 

As a condition of the settlement, Resorts World has consented to adopt more rigorous anti-money laundering measures and undergo leadership changes. 

Revamp 

Since the NGCB complaint was initially lodged in August, Malaysia's Genting has revamped its Las Vegas leadership team and named Alex Dixon as CEO in January. It established a board of directors led by ex-MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, including former NGCB chair A.G. Burnett and ex-Nevada Governor and Nevada Gaming Commission chair Brian Sandoval. 

Although Thursday's agreement settled the issue at the state level, the NGCB stated that it retains the right to seek additional disciplinary measures if federal authorities act against Resorts World. 

The settlement approval occurs just a day after Resorts World revealed it had let go of “under 50” full-time staff members, but it did not explain the reasons or specify the roles they held.