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Read Full BioWynn Resorts became the third Las Vegas operator this year to pay a fine for violating anti-money laundering (AML) procedures.
On May 15, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) announced that Wynn had agreed to pay a $5.5 million fine after the regulator had filed a complaint on the same day. The agreement is pending approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission on May 22.
Wynn Las Vegas Fine Related To a Federal Probe of AML Failures
The proposed Stipulation for Settlement between the regulator and Wynn comes after NGCB filed a complaint for disciplinary action on May 15.
The complaint alleges that the operator used improper business practices, including “unregistered money transmitting businesses, facilitating international monetary transactions, allowing proxy betting, and other prohibited monetary transactions.”
According to NGCB, former Wynn employees allowed international patrons to move money for gambling and place wagers on behalf of others, violating the company’s AML protocols.
The Nevada regulator’s complaint concerns Wynn’s September 2024 Non-Prosecution Agreement with the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. In that agreement, the company agreed to forfeit $130 million to settle a federal investigation into AML violations.
After resolving the federal case, NGCB opened a separate investigation, to which Wynn fully cooperated. In addition to the $5.5 million fine, Wynn will implement enhancements to its AML procedures and provide additional employee training.
MGM and RWLV Also Fined Over Similar Lapses
Wynn’s fine marks Nevada’s third high-profile AML enforcement case this year.
In March, RWLV agreed to pay a $10.5 million fine, the second-largest in Nevada gaming history. The Nevada regulator imposed a substantial penalty for regulatory violations related to engaging with illicit bookmakers, including Damien LeForbes and Mathew Bowyer.
Bowyer ran an illegal operation with over 700 clients and had ties to MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s disgraced former interpreter. Bowyer used the illicit funds from his operations to gamble at RWLV. He lost over $8 million, including $1.2 million in two months.
NGCB accused the company’s former President, Scott Sibella, and other executives of negligence and failing to report Bowyer’s suspicious activities as part of AML protocols.
Bowyer was also connected to another fine imposed by the NGCB. In April, MGM Resorts International agreed to pay an $8.5 million fine for similar AML protocol failures.
Like in the RWLV case, Bowyer used proceeds from his illegal operations to gamble at MGM properties on at least 300 occasions. Meanwhile, another illegal bookie, Wayne Nix, lost nearly $5 million at MGM properties.
The connection in both cases is Sibella. Before he became RWLV President, he was the President of MGM Grand Casino. In 2024, the former executive pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act.
He received a one-year probation and a $9,500 fine. Later, Sibella agreed with Nevada regulators to surrender his gaming license, ending his casino industry career in the state.
