Resorts World Las Vegas Could Be Fined Following Alleged Money Laundering by Illegal Bookmakers

The Nevada Gaming Control Board said Thursday that it wants to levy fines against Resorts World Las Vegas for allegedly allowing illegal bookmakers to gamble at their casino without revealing the source of where they got their money. 

The NGCB Comments On the Situation

According to the NGCB, Resorts World could face millions in fines. 

The NGCB allegations can be found in a 12-count, 31-page complaint against the casino. 

“Resorts World … allowed a culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and ties to organized crime,” according to an NGCB statement. “The NGCB investigation revealed acceptance among Resorts World executives of a culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or, at worst, willfully ignored for financial gain.”

California Bookie Named in the Complaint

Numerous individuals were named in the NGCB filing, but California bookie Mathew Boyer was among them. 

Boyer, 49, pled guilty earlier this month for operating an illegal gambling business, a false tax return, and money laundering. This was all linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.  

From these charges, he face upward of 37 months in prison. He’ll appear in court in 2025. 

According to ESPN, he “transferred or directed the transfer” of more than $9 million to Resorts World Las Vegas. 

The Complaint Mentions Ties to Organized Crime

In addition to Bowyer, Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto were named. These two were convicted of illicit gambling, and Ting “is known” to have ties to organized crime. 

Bowyer’s wife, Nicole, was also named after allegedly profiting from her husband's gambling. 

“Ms. Bowyer received payment from Resorts World despite surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity,” according to the NGCB statement. 

She’s also failed to cooperate with the NGCB. 

Resorts World said it’s communicating with NGCB “to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members,” according to the Independent.