Former Las Vegas casino top executive Scott Sibella has received a probation sentence after pleading guilty to placing bets through an illegal bookmaker, according to a local report in the Toronto Star.
US District Judge Dolly Gee issued a year of probation and ordered Sibella to pay a $9,500 fine, along with a $100 special assessment fee.
Gee took into consideration that Sibella had no previous criminal history when determining sentencing, the local report said.. Through Gee affirmed that Sibella “turned a blind eye” to what he knew was potentially illegal activity, the federal judge acknowledged Sibella’s full cooperation with investigators.
Earlier this year, Sibella admitted that he “allowed an illegal bookmaker to gamble millions of dollars at the MGM Grand and pay off debts in cash.” The incident at MGM Grand involved former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix, according to the court documents.
Sibella said in his plea that he “allowed Nix to gamble at MGM Grand and affiliated properties with illicit proceeds generated from the illegal gambling business without notifying the casinos’ compliance department.”
Nix also awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in April 2022 to filing a false tax return and to operating an illegal gambling business.
However, this might not be the end of the road for Sibella. Regulators in Nevada are considering imposing a fine against Sibella for up to $750,000 and could revoke or suspend his gambling license due to a complaint filed by Gaming Control Board investigators at the end of last month.
The Nevada Gaming Commission has not yet considered the complaint.
