The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a 12-count complaint Thursday against the operators and owners of Resorts World Las Vegas. The complaint stems from its purported anti-money laundering failures related to the gambling activities of Mathew R. Bowyer and several other illegal bookmakers.
Bowyer, 49, pleaded guilty Aug. 9 to three federal charges on operating an illegal gambling business, transactional money laundering, and filing a false tax return. Bowyer is the presumed bookmaker of choice for Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Shohei Ohtani. Over a multi-year period, Mizuhara is accused by federal prosecutors of placing approximately 19,000 wagers with the Bowyer gambling business, while accumulating net losses of approximately $40.6 million. Mizuhara allegedly embezzled at least $16 million from Ohtani to repay a portion of sports betting debts.
In a 31-page disciplinary complaint, the NGCB detailed how several felons were allowed to place millions of dollars in wagers because Resorts World “failed to adhere,” to its anti-money laundering program. During an extensive investigation, the NGCB documented how its agents uncovered a “lack of compliance,” at the multi-billion casino. The lax compliance environment enabled certain individuals with “suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking,” a history of felony convictions related to illegal gambling, and “ties to organized crime,” to gamble millions within the casino.
“Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) complaint. We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines,” according to a statement obtained by . “We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward.”