MGM Resorts settles illegal bookmakers scandal with $8.5 million agreement
MGM Resorts International has agreed to pay an $8.5 million settlement to the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for failing to report the gambling activity of illegal bookmakers Wayne Nix and Mathew Bowyer. The NGCB filed a stipulation for settlement on 17 April, citing multiple compliance failures involving staff at the MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
Illegal bookmakers at major Las Vegas properties
The NGCB filed a 10-count complaint on 17 April against MGM Resorts, outlining that employees did not take proper steps to report suspicious activity by Wayne Nix and Mathew Bowyer. Both individuals are known illegal bookmakers. Their gambling activity took place openly at the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan, during a period when Bowyer was already under scrutiny for illegal operations.
The complaint revealed that in April 2018, an MGM customer sent an email raising concerns about Bowyer. The customer claimed that Bowyer was “in the illegal bookmaking business” and suggested that an MGM casino host was possibly redirecting sportsbook clients to him. This email was reportedly sent to two marketing managers but was not escalated to MGM’s compliance team.
Settlement terms and staff training commitments
Under the settlement terms, MGM Resorts has agreed to review and train its staff on anti-money laundering (AML) procedures. The aim is to ensure better handling and reporting of suspicious behaviour inside casino premises. This training is part of a broader compliance effort prompted by the ongoing regulatory investigations.
The Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to approve the agreement in the coming days. If approved, the settlement would officially resolve the current regulatory complaint against MGM Resorts.
Link to broader industry crackdown
This case forms part of a wider industry crackdown in Nevada, following multiple incidents involving illegal bookmakers operating at prominent casinos. Former MGM Grand President Scott Sibella, who was later President of Resorts World Las Vegas, resigned amid the broader investigation.
Sibella has since had his gaming licence revoked and pleaded guilty to a federal charge, receiving probation. Resorts World Las Vegas, under separate scrutiny, agreed in March to pay a $10.5 million fine for allowing known bookmakers and criminal figures to gamble on its property.
Regulators push for stronger compliance
The NGCB continues to monitor casino operators across the state to ensure strict adherence to gaming laws and AML policies. The settlement with MGM Resorts reinforces the expectation that all casino staff must report suspicious activity without delay. Regulators have warned that failure to follow these rules may result in further penalties or licence actions.
