Las Vegas Casinos Under Illegal Sportsbook Investigation by Feds, Say Reports
Several high-level Las Vegas casino employees, including people at Resorts World Las Vegas (pictured), are reportedly under federal investigation over alleged inappropriate associations between casino executives and illegal bookmakers.
The gambling ring in question was busted in 2022, with Californian and former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix at the heart of the allegations.
Four people have already been charged in relation to the illegal sportsbook, including Nix, his accountant, and two others.
The ongoing investigation, conducted by Homeland Security and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, is said to be focusing on allegations that current and former hotel employees were involved with Nix’s operation. It is claimed they used casino assets to pay off personal gambling debts and provided confidential customer data to the illegal gambling ring that operated for nearly two decades.
An anonymous source close to the investigation told the Nevada Current newspaper that federal investigators have been interviewing Nevada Gaming Control Board employees on the matter.
Allegations of Misuse of Casino Assets and Confidential Data
It is alleged that hotel employees at MGM properties used comps and promo chips to pay off personal gambling debts to Nix and money owed to his illegal sports wagering operation.
Promo chips, aka free chips provided to high rollers, can be exchanged in large amounts at the gaming tables and redeemed at the casino cage for cash. This potential for abuse in money laundering has led many casinos to phase out the use of these chips in recent years.
Furthermore, it is alleged that hotel workers provided confidential customer data to Nix’s operation, as well as promoting the operation to customers and taking kickbacks for profitable referrals.
Focus on Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World
The investigation is also reportedly focusing on Scott Sibella, the former president of MGM Grand and current president of Resorts World.
Sibella was cleared by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) just months ago. Gambler Brandon Sattler alleged he was aware a convicted illegal gambler had an ownership interest in a concession food truck. Sibella denied the claims and was cleared of any wrongdoing by the GCB.
At the time, Satler made several wild public claims about his relationship with Sibella, which the Resorts World president denied.
Satler was later charged by the feds himself for his part in a wire fraud targeting Las Vegas casinos.
Now, the current investigation seems to be bringing Sibella back into the spotlight. The federal agents are said to be specifically inquiring about Sibella, with an email obtained by the Nevada Current media outlet indicating that regulators are aware of the allegations being investigated.
Implications and Potential Consequences
The investigation is still ongoing, and the full implications and potential consequences are yet to be seen. However, the allegations, if proven true, could have significant repercussions for the individuals involved, and the Las Vegas casino industry as a whole.
The investigation also raises questions about the effectiveness of the regulatory oversight of the casino industry. If the allegations are proven true, it would suggest that illegal activities were able to occur under the watch of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, raising questions about the effectiveness of its oversight.
“It took the U.S. Attorney in California to finally look into this stuff that’s been going on for decades,” the anonymous source told The Current.
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