The complex ongoing legal story involving Resorts World Las Vegas was analysed on the latest episode of the iGamingDaily, as Jessica Welman, Editor of SBC Americas shared her insight on the case that continues to unfold.
The latest developments saw the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) file a disciplinary complaint against the casino, as well as its parent and affiliated companies and individuals working at the property.
Key to the allegations is Scott Sibella, who recently pled guilty to money laundering charges stemming from his previous tenure at MGM Resorts. It has also emerged that he extended credit to individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking while working at Resorts World.
According to the NGCB complaint, Resorts World allegedly failed to meet anti-money laundering (AML) standards when they extended credit to Matthew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker charged with operating an illegal sports betting ring with clients including Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
The complaint also alleges that the casino failed to bar, ban or restrict Edward Ting and Chad Iwamoto, who have both been found guilty of illegal gambling activities in the past.
Welman emphasised that the allegations are a stain on the industry and ‘a bad look’ for a Vegas casino.
She added that there has been a “major failing” of the systems that are supposed to be in place to ensure that proof of funds is provided when a line of credit is extended to a patron.
On potential punishments for Resorts World, she continued: “I don’t know what they’re going to do to them, but it’s got to be big. These are fundamentals that you should know about approving clients. In Nevada, there are massive amounts of rules that you have to follow and this wasn’t just an oversight.
“The record fine for a Nevada casino I believe is $20m and I would think that you go higher. There’s probably at least one conversation at the NGCB about ‘Does this casino deserve a license?’. [However] I think once you build a $2bn property, it gets complicated. You put that investment in jobs and you don’t want to put those people out of a job.”
Bally’s has partnered with EPIC Global Solutions to promote responsible gaming practices and raise awareness of gaming’s potential impacts.
The three-year partnership will see EPIC’s lived experience team educate Bally’s partners across the UK and the US as part of their “shared commitment to creating safer and more enjoyable gaming environments”.
The two organisations aim to “set new standards for responsible gaming and create a safer and more enjoyable gaming environment for all”.
Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation, commented: “Bally’s and EPIC Global Solutions are committed to setting new standards for responsible gaming with a three-year commitment.
“Together, we are creating safer and more enjoyable gaming environments through educating multiple partners in the gaming ecosystem, harnessing the power of EPIC’s lived experience approach in both the UK and US.”
Through the partnership, Bally’s and EPIC aim to emphasise the importance of responsible gaming to “minimise the negative impact of gaming and ensure a more responsible approach within the industry”.
In the US, Bally’s employees will receive training from EPIC’s lived experience team, benefiting those who work on the casino floor or in customer service roles to help them make informed decisions and improve customer engagement “with their wellbeing and enjoyment in mind”.
EPIC and Bally’s will also produce social media and digital campaigns to provide responsible gaming best practice advice and highlight gaming’s potential consequences.
“We are excited to partner with Bally’s to drive positive change in the gaming industry,” added Paul Buck, Founder and CEO of EPIC Global Solutions.
“By leveraging EPIC’s lived experience approach, we can make a significant impact on responsible gaming practices globally.”
