Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Anti Money Laundering topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nevada Gaming Commission approves $10.5 million settlement with Resorts World Las Vegas over anti‑money‑laundering failures
Summary
The commission accepted a stipulation resolving a 10‑count complaint that found Resorts World Las Vegas failed to verify patrons' sources of funds, did not timely bar suspected illegal bookmakers and had hosts who failed to report suspicious activity. The casino agreed to a $10.5 million fine and broad AML reforms.
The Nevada Gaming Commission on March 27 approved a settlement with Resorts World Las Vegas and related respondents that resolves a 10‑count complaint alleging the property failed to adequately verify patrons’ sources of funds and allowed suspected illegal bookmakers to wager at the casino.
The stipulation, filed with an amended complaint by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, assigns a $10,500,000 fine payable to the state and requires a package of compliance conditions designed to strengthen Resorts World’s anti‑money‑laundering (AML) controls and reporting.
The complaint grew from a Control Board investigation that began with the activity of a patron identified as Matthew Boyer and expanded as investigators found other patrons of concern. The amended complaint alleged that Resorts World hosts repeatedly failed to escalate or document suspected illegal bookmaking activity, that at least one host referred patrons to suspected bookmakers, and that the property failed to verify whether high levels of play were consistent with patrons’ documented sources of funds. The Control Board characterized the alleged problems as reflecting a culture in which illegal bookmakers were “welcomed, catered to, and allowed to wager.”
In presenting the settlement to the commission, Darlene Caruso, chief deputy attorney general for the Gaming Control Board, summarized the board’s position and asked the commission to approve the stipulation. "The board is respectfully requesting that the commission approve the settlement between the parties," Caruso said during the hearing.
Resorts World, through its Nevada gaming counsel Erica Okerberg, told the commission the company had conducted a wide‑ranging internal review, implemented remediation and overhauled governance and compliance structures. "We believe that the team and the company before you today is a different company than it was before. It's a Resorts World 2, if you will," Okerberg said, listing new executive hires, board‑level oversight and revised AML policies and training as key changes.
Key elements of the settlement include: - A $10,500,000 penalty payable to the State of Nevada within two business days if the commission approves the stipulation. - A requirement that Resorts World maintain and, as necessary, enhance core elements of its revised AML program, with annual reviews and updates. - A requirement that independent agents and hosts be assigned a mandatory AML training module within 60 days. - Preservation of AML‑related records for at least five years and an obligation to report certain government investigative or disciplinary notices to the board chair within three business days. - An internal audit review of compliance with the AML program two years after the settlement; if the board chair is not satisfied with the internal audit, an independent outside review may be ordered. - A requirement that Resorts World maintain at least its current AML staffing levels.
The Control Board and the company reserved the right for further action if additional federal, criminal, civil or administrative developments arise related to the matters alleged in the complaint.
Public comment before the hearing included statements from patrons and community members. One speaker, Robert J. "RJ" Cipriani, who addressed the commission during public comment, urged the board to take firm action against Resorts World and described past interactions with property management. Cipriani recounted a text message he said he received and said, "I'm bigger than you. That's what Scott Cibella told me," referring to his account of a private exchange with a former property executive.
The commission voted to accept the stipulation and order. The vote carried with a majority in favor; one commissioner recused from the matter and did not participate in the vote.
Why it matters: Nevada regulators said the settlement is intended to both punish the past failures and require operational changes that reduce the chances of similar lapses recurring. The Control Board emphasized that the penalties and oversight are meant to protect patrons and the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry.
What's next: Resorts World must implement the measures in the agreement and the Control Board will receive reports and an internal audit as required by the settlement. The board reserved the right to reopen discipline if related federal or other actions emerge.
