MGM Resorts agrees to $8.5m settlement for illegal bookmakers scandal
The NGCB filed a stipulation for settlement on April 17, with MGM Resorts also agreeing to review and train its staff on anti-money laundering programs.
Key Points
- The agreement comes in response to a 10-count complaint alleging MGM staffers failed to report illegal bookmakers Wayne Nix and Mathew Bowyer while gambling inside MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan
- The settlement relates to the ongoing scandal surrounding Scott Sibella, who served as President of MGM Grand at the time of Nix and Bowyer’s gaming activity
Following a stipulation filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) on April 17, MGM Resorts International has agreed to an $8.5m settlement with the state regulator for failing to report the activity of illegal bookmakers Wayne Nix and Mathew Bowyer.
As part of a 10-count complaint also filed on April 17, MGM Resorts staff members allegedly failed to report the two’s gambling activity while they were present at the MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During April 2018, the complaint alleges an MGM customer wrote in an email that casino hosts may be sharing information about him with Bowyer, including an allegation that “Mr. Bowyer is attempting to steal clients from the MGM, hence he is in the illegal bookmaking business and (casino host) is funneling MGM sportsbook clients to Mr. Bowyer.”
The email was then forwarded to two casino marketing managers, according to the NGCB, but was never reported to MGM Compliance executives.
The settlement is related to the ongoing scandal that resulted in former Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella stepping down from the property, who also served as MGM Grand President at the time of Nix and Bowyer’s gaming activity.
Good to know: The AGCO officially served BetMGM Canada with an Order of Monetary Penalty in the amount of $110k on March 26 for violations under the AGCO’s Standards for Internet Gaming
Resorts World agreed to pay a $10.5m fine on March 21 as part of a separate investigation into allowing known bookmakers and criminals to play in the casino.
The NGCB and Nevada Gaming Commission have previously reached a settlement with Sibella in which his gaming license was revoked while also pleading guilty to a federal charge and receiving probation.
MGM Resorts agreed to a full review and training course for its staff members on anti-money laundering programs as part of the settlement. The Nevada Gaming Commission will be requested to sign off on the stipulated agreement some time in the next few days.
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