Nevada gaming regulators have intensified scrutiny of anti-money laundering controls across the state's major operators, issuing significant penalties tied to casino activity involving illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer.
Caesars Entertainment is the latest company to reach a settlement, agreeing to pay $7.8 million and implement enhanced controls after state investigators identified years of compliance failures, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Key Takeaways
- Caesars agreed to a $7.8-million settlement after regulators detailed years of control failures related to illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer.
- Resorts World and MGM Resorts also faced major fines tied to insufficient oversight and monitoring of high-risk bettors.
- Nevada regulators have broadened AML enforcement efforts as multiple operators allowed Bowyer extended access to casino play.
Investigators revealed Caesars allowed Bowyer to gamble at Caesars Palace and other properties for more than seven years, beginning before 2017 through January 2024 when he was removed from all Caesars locations. Regulators cited repeated failures to verify his source of funds despite labeling him high risk in 2019.
The complaint states Bowyer wagered and lost millions across 100 days of play in Nevada and California. Caesars neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but affirmed its cooperation with the investigation and its commitment to compliance.
The company is the third major operator connected to enforcement stemming from Bowyer's activity. Bowyer ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges involving illegal gambling, money laundering, and filing a false tax return.
His case became a central point of comparison as regulators examined similar issues at other Strip operators.
Resorts World previously fined
The regulatory attention on Caesars followed earlier action in March when Nevada gaming authorities issued a $10.5-million fine against Resorts World Las Vegas. The penalty resolved a complaint that alleged the property was complicit in illegal bookmaking to gamble at the resort. The fine was the second largest ever imposed by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Resorts World did not admit or deny allegations but agreed to leadership changes and stronger anti-money laundering protocols. Much of the board's case focused on Bowyer, who played at the resort over 80 days in roughly 15 months.
During that period, he lost more than $6.6 million while receiving complimentary benefits and transportation. Regulators stated the property repeatedly failed to verify the legitimacy of his funds.
The complaint also cited issues involving credit extended to individuals with past illegal gambling convictions and concerns about insufficient host reporting.
MGM Resorts also targeted
The enforcement wave continued in April when the Nevada Gaming Commission voted unanimously to fine MGM Resorts International $8.5 million.
Regulators determined Bowyer and another illegal bookmaker, Zachary Nix, had been allowed to gamble at MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan despite both men being involved in unlawful sports gambling operations.
The case concluded with disciplinary measures for former MGM Grand president Scott Sibella and two casino hosts who were found to be aware of the customers' illegal activity. MGM stated it expanded training and enhanced monitoring systems to prevent similar issues from occurring again.
