The Nevada Gaming Control Board released a complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas and a former employee on August 15, accusing each of illegal activity related to money laundering and allowing known criminals to gamble on the property.
Two separate complaints were filed. One is against Resorts World. The other covers alleged illegal behavior by Nicole Bowyer, wife of an illegal bookmaker who is accused of helping to funnel over $600,000 through a casino host job.
The Resorts World complaint is 31 pages long.1 Nicole Bowyer’s file is 10 pages.2
Key Highlights
- The NGCB released a complaint against Resorts World
- A second complaint was filed for a former employee
- Nicole Boyer, illegal bookmaker’s wife, accused of funneling $600,000
- Anti-Money Laundering Committee raised suspicions
Resorts World Las Vegas Complaint
The complaint against Resorts World 1 starts by naming Mathew Bowyer, Nicole’s husband, as an illegal bookmaker. It accuses Resorts World of ignoring the known criminal activity, allowing Bowyer to gamble despite an anti-money laundering investigation that could not determine the source of funds.
It started with Bowyer applying for a $5,000 credit account, which allowed him to borrow up to that amount from the casino. It quickly became a $1 million front money account, allowing Bowyer to deposit up to $1 million and play with it within the casino.
Bowyer claimed to be a real estate investor. However, Resorts World’s “know your customer” investigation failed to identify any real estate holdings beyond a primary residence. However, a previous bankruptcy and foreclosures were found.
The Boyers at Resorts World
Bowyer first visited Resorts World in February 2022. He made a $1 million front money deposit and was permitted to gamble, even though the casino had not vetted the origin of the funds.
In April 2022, Nicole Bowyer became an independent agent for Resorts World. She would later become her husband’s casino host. Nevada regulators state she received $667,000 in compensation for this position over about 18 months. Her husband lost just under $8 million at Resorts World, according to the complaint.
Anti-Money Laundering Committee Raised Suspicions
Resorts World had an anti-money laundering committee as part of its licensing process. This board was tasked with identifying problematic players.
The board failed to act on the alleged suspicious activities in July 2022. The board met again in August 2022 and February 2023 and took no action. Company executives are also accused of looking the other way.
One piece of evidence from a meeting noted that a cage supervisor knew Bowyer was an illegal bookie who was using his wife’s business as a cover.
This was later struck from the record due to an executive’s request, claiming there was no evidence of this illegal activity. Gaming regulators allege that the anti-money laundering committee knew this player could not verify the funds required for this level of play but chose to allow him to continue.
Bowyer was accused of taking wagers from 700 customers, including from MLB’s Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Bowyer pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal bookmaking earlier in August.
Host Referred Sports Bettors to Bowyer
In October 2023, Bowyer asked a casino host to refer sports betting players to him. A commission was offered for this. The host referred a player to Bowyer, even though Resorts World has an IGT sportsbook on its premises.
The complaint does not note if the player knew information was being shared. The host later went to the player and said he felt uneasy about Bowyer and should stay away.
The patron told another casino host that Bowyer was a bookmaker. Neither host told the casino about the alleged illegal activities.
Bowyer Banned After Federal Case Came to Light
Federal authorities executed a search warrant on Bowyer in October 2023. Resorts World quickly barred him from its property. Over the next 20 months, he lost about $7.9 million to the casino.
According to the complaint, he played 80 separate times after the July 2022 anti-money laundering committee failed to identify the source of funds. Each is an individual violation.
Bowyer was accused of taking wagers from 700 customers, including from MLB’s Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Bowyer pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal bookmaking earlier in August.3
Bowyer was not the only reputed criminal Resorts World allowed on the property. Three others are named in the complaint.
Resorts World must answer the complaint. At a minimum, major executive changes are expected, and that may already be happening.
What Happens Next?
Resorts World must answer the complaint. At a minimum, major executive changes are expected, and that may already be happening. A large fine is the most likely outcome. Licensing suspension is not out of the question, but it feels like a big underdog.
If Nevada regulators wanted to shut down Resorts World, it could do that without the complaint if the allegations were severe enough. An example of that is from Stardust.
In 1984, the Stardust Casino was raided by Nevada regulators enforcing a complaint related to skimming.4 The casino’s license was suspended. Boyd Gaming would later take over the property. Resorts World sits on the same property as Stardust.
Sources
1 Nevada Gaming Control Board vs Resorts World Las Vegas – Complaint NGC-24-04 [https://gaming.nv.gov/gaming/complaints/stipulations/]
2 Nevada Gaming Control Board vs Nicole Boyer- Complaint NGC-24-15 [https://gaming.nv.gov/gaming/complaints/stipulations/]
3 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bookie-pleads-guilty-running-illegal-gambling-business-used-ex-ohtani-rcna166050
4 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/06/The-state-has-suspended-the-Stardust-Hotel-Casinos-gambling-license/9687439534800/
