Wynn Las Vegas agrees to $5.5M fine over AML violations
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has agreed to another multimillion-dollar settlement with a major Las Vegas casino and entertainment property.
Wynn Las Vegas reached a proposed $5.5 million stipulation for settlement with the NGCB for violating its own anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program. The casino agreed to a settlement after a disciplinary complaint was filed contemporaneously with the stipulation for settlement. The complaint detailed “unsuitable methods of operation” by Wynn Las Vegas related to facilitating improper international monetary transactions, allowing proxy betting and being tied to unregistered money transmitting businesses.
Wynn Las Vegas is set to be fined by the NGCB after reaching a non-prosecution agreement in 2024 with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
The non-prosecution agreement concerns the same AML violations by Wynn Las Vegas that resulted in the casino forfeiting $130 million to federal authorities to end an investigation. It is the largest civil asset forfeiture for criminal activity done by a casino in U.S. history.
The criminal activity connected to the resolution payment was the use of unregistered agents to recruit foreign players to Wynn casinos in the U.S. These agents were used to both pay and get payment from customers, circumventing AML protocols in the process.
“We are pleased that we have resolved this matter with the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” said Wynn Resorts. “Wynn Resorts is committed to acting with the highest integrity and in full compliance with all laws and regulations governing our industry. We accept responsibility for those actions and are now glad the matter will soon be fully resolved.”
Wynn Las Vegas had several employees allow international guests to “obtain and/or transfer money improperly” and also allow guests to place wagers for other patrons. Wynn Las Vegas terminated the employees responsible for the AML violations.
The casino implemented new business practices to prevent further AML-related issues.
Wynn Las Vegas’ internal audit team is required to submit a report on its AML compliance efforts. It is also improving its AML training and awareness of requirements.
The NGCB is set to approve the stipulation for settlement during its monthly meeting on May 22. Proceeds from the settlement will be allocated toward Nevada’s General Fund.
The settlement comes after Wynn Resorts was issued a record $20 million fine in 2019 by the NGCB for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct. The claims were made against founder Steve Wynn, who reportedly assaulted or harassed several women.
Resorts World reaches settlement with NGCB
Wynn Las Vegas is facing discipline after the NGCB reached a deal with Resorts World.
The NGCB and Resorts World agreed to a $10.5 million settlement in March following a probe into Resorts World’s ties to illegal bookmakers. In 2024, the NGCB filed a disciplinary complaint against Resorts World for a failure to meet AML compliance program standards.
The failure to meet compliance standards stemmed from the conduct of Matthew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker who operated an illegal gambling scheme with ties to Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani who was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for siphoning over $15 million from Ohtani’s account to gamble.
According to a complaint filed by the NGCB, Resorts World allowed Bowyer to wager at its Las Vegas property. The casino failed to verify Bowyer’s sources of funds, including a $1 million front-money deposit. As a result of the illicit activity, former Resorts World president Scott Sibella was fired for violating company policies by allowing improper gambling.
Resorts World’s fine is the second-largest in Nevada gaming history behind Wynn’s in 2019.
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