Resort World is now under federal scrutiny following revelations that three gamblers under investigation for their involvement in illegal sports betting rings lost nearly $24 million at the casino less than three years after it opened. Resort World reportedly did not detect this suspicious activity, which, if proven to be true, could result in significant fines.
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Led by federal authorities from California, the investigation aims to reveal the extent of the money laundering allegations and could result in significant fines for Resort World. According to a recent report by local news outlet Nevada Current, the Nevada Gaming Commission has also launched a related investigation into several casinos.
The suspicious money laundering operation involves a legal case against Ifei Mizuhara, a former interpreter of baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who reportedly stole $4.5 million and gambled them with black market betting rings. Illegal bookmakers are known to launder money by linking illegal funds to casinos and later withdraw most of these funds.
Matt Bowyer, who admitted to taking bets from Mizuhara, made 32 trips to Resort World, losing $7.9 million between 2022 and 2023. Some of Mizuhara’s weekly payments to Bowyer, up to $500,000 each, were reportedly deposited into the gambling accounts of other suspects at Resort World, making the source of the funds unclear.
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Damien LePoves, another celebrity who reportedly lost $12.3 million through nearly 40 trips to Resort World, and Ryan Boyajian, a real-life housewife star in Orange County, are two others accused of helping Bowyer. The three men have not been charged, but that could change as authorities gather more evidence of their illegal activities.
The ongoing investigation follows a court case against Scott Cibella, a former resort world executive who was previously sentenced for an anti-money laundering (AML) violation. Cibella turned a blind eye to suspicious activity, unlike Bowyer’s gambling charges. By choosing not to report such transactions, Cibella effectively violated federal banking secrecy laws and was sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
As the investigation continues, Resort World could face significant penalties if money laundering allegations are found, underscoring the complexity and risks of maintaining compliance in the world of high-risk casino gambling. Recent revelations highlight that these black market initiatives may be more common than expected, calling for casino vigilance to be stepped up. 안전한 카지노사이트
