Resorts World Las Vegas leaders vow to put rules ahead of revenue as they fight to win back trust from Nevada gaming watchdogs. President and CFO Carlos Castro stressed compliance over commerce during a key hearing. With a license decision looming on March 26, the casino shows real steps to fix past mistakes tied to illegal betting ties.
Nevada regulators hit Resorts World Las Vegas and its parent Genting Berhad with a $10.5 million penalty in March 2025. This marked the second biggest fine in state history after Wynn Resorts’ $20 million hit in 2019. The trouble stemmed from letting gamblers linked to illegal bookmakers play for big stakes over a year.
At the heart sat Mathew Bowyer, a convicted illegal bookmaker from California. He wagered millions at the property for about 20 months and lost nearly $8 million. Regulators cited failures in anti-money laundering checks that let such players slip through. Bowyer’s wife even worked as a registered agent there, raising more red flags. Other names like Damien LeForbes popped up in the 10-count complaint.
The fallout forced quick action. Former president Scott Sibella, who left in 2023, lost his gaming license over related issues at another casino. Resorts World agreed to tougher rules without admitting fault. They promised better training and audits to spot dirty money early.
Carlos Castro Steps Up as New Leader
Carlos Castro joined as chief operating and financial officer in February 2025. By May, he took on president duties too. His resume shines with years handling money and ops at top Strip spots. Castro now leads a full overhaul to make compliance the top priority.
Right after the fine, the team added a first-ever chief compliance officer, Jennifer Roberts, in April 2025. They also formed a local board stacked with Nevada heavyweights. Former Governor Brian Sandoval and ex-Gaming Control Board Chair A.G. Burnett got licensed in February 2026 to guide fixes.
Layoffs hit under 50 staff in early 2025 to streamline. Castro told regulators the old setup favored hosts chasing business over checks. Now, every big player gets vetted hard.
Regulators Praise the Turnaround Push
Last week, the Nevada Gaming Control Board gave Castro a strong thumbs up after his hour-long pitch. Board Chair Mike Dreitzer called changes “substantive and thoughtful.” Member George Assad wished Castro ran things from the 2021 opening. Chandeni Sendall deemed the one-year shift “remarkable.”
Castro laid out the new playbook. Leaders rebuilt the team so everyone eyes compliance first, backed by the board. Silos between marketing, ops, surveillance, and compliance vanished. Any doubt goes straight to experts.
Here’s a quick look at key fixes:
- Vet all high rollers for clean funds upfront.
- Train agents on red flags within 60 days.
- Run regular audits and report issues fast.
- Keep AML staff steady and report fed probes.
| Milestone | Date | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Casino Opens | June 2021 | Early ops start |
| Fine Settled | March 27, 2025 | $10.5M paid, rules vowed |
| Castro Joins | Feb 2025 | COO/CFO role |
| Compliance Chief Hired | April 2025 | Jennifer Roberts in |
| Board Licensed | Feb 2026 | Sandoval, Burnett OK’d |
| Castro Hearing | March 2026 | License push |
This table tracks the path from scandal to reform.
Eyes on Revival and Strip Future
Castro eyes growth beyond fixes. He touts the north Strip as hot, thanks to neighbors like Wynn and Fontainebleau. Dreams of an arena there could boost all. No money woes hold them back, he assured regulators.
The $4.3 billion property draws high rollers still. But clean ops matter more now. Patrons want fair play without shady risks. This shift protects jobs and visitors alike.
Changes hit home for locals and tourists. Strong rules mean safer bets and less crime bleed. Nevada’s gaming world thrives on trust.
Resorts World stands at a crossroads, proving lessons learned from a costly slip. Castro’s firm stance offers hope for steady wins ahead. Fans of Vegas lights cheer the cleanup, betting on brighter days.
