Seven months after a storm of allegations rocked the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas has agreed to pay a $10.5 million penalty to settle claims it facilitated illegal betting operations with alleged connections to organized crime.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) confirmed Thursday that the resort’s handling of sportsbook operations drew intense scrutiny, leading to what is now one of the largest fines issued in recent years. The final decision is scheduled for a vote by the Nevada Gaming Commission next Thursday. If approved, Resorts World has just two days to cough up the money.
Not Just a Fine — A Warning Shot to the Industry
The NGCB didn’t mince words. In the disciplinary complaint filed back in August, it accused the luxury resort of knowingly allowing illegal bookmakers to operate with apparent freedom—bookmakers who, according to state investigators, were linked to criminal enterprises moving millions in wagers.
The complaint also suggested that Resorts World showed a serious lack of oversight. Despite warnings, the resort allegedly allowed suspicious patrons to make repeated large transactions through its casino cage and VIP services.
It was more than just negligence.
According to the NGCB, Resorts World’s actions “caused damage to the reputation of Nevada’s gaming industry.” In Las Vegas, reputation is everything.
The Paper Trail That Sealed the Deal
Documents reviewed by the Control Board revealed a troubling pattern. Surveillance footage, financial reports, and transaction logs reportedly show cash transactions and marker issuances far exceeding what typical tourists might gamble in a day.
One player — who wasn’t even enrolled in the casino’s loyalty programme — reportedly moved over $2 million through the resort within weeks. Another suspected bookmaker accessed high-limit rooms despite prior run-ins with regulators.
The paper trail kept growing, and the picture became clearer.
• At least four individuals flagged by law enforcement were comped stays or granted special privileges
• Internal alerts raised by lower-level staff were either ignored or overridden
• Some employees failed to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), a basic compliance requirement
Resorts World’s Response: Silent, Strategic, and Swift
Publicly, Resorts World hasn’t said much. Behind the scenes, though, sources familiar with the matter say the resort’s legal team moved fast to contain fallout once the NGCB escalated the investigation.
The fine — negotiated over months — allows Resorts World to avoid a protracted public hearing. More importantly, it helps limit the reputational damage with international stakeholders. Remember, this resort is owned by Malaysia’s Genting Group, which has billions invested globally.
“This agreement avoids further delays and distractions and allows us to focus on operational improvements,” one executive reportedly said, speaking anonymously.
One sentence, but telling.
The Bigger Problem: VIPs and the Shadow Economy
What happened at Resorts World raises a bigger question: how many other casinos are walking this same line?
Las Vegas has long been a playground for high-rollers. But the VIP services industry, especially when it crosses into sports betting, is a murky one. Operators are expected to screen for criminal backgrounds, follow anti-money laundering laws, and report large or suspicious transactions.
In reality? Enforcement can be patchy. Big spenders mean big profits, and not every resort is keen to turn away whales—no matter the risk.
A 2023 report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that illegal sports betting generates over $1.7 trillion globally each year. Some of that money flows through “legal” systems, especially in places like Las Vegas where regulations are strong but oversight can falter.
What’s Next for Resorts World?
The Nevada Gaming Commission still needs to officially approve the settlement. But that’s largely a formality at this point.
Assuming the fine is paid on time, Resorts World will avoid suspension or further penalties for now. But there will be follow-up. The NGCB said it will closely monitor the casino’s internal changes, which are expected to include:
- Re-training of all compliance and VIP service staff
- Mandatory quarterly audits of cage and marker operations
- Enhanced SAR protocols across all cash-handling departments
Meanwhile, insiders say at least two senior staffers have already “left the company.” No names have been publicly released.
Damage Done? That Depends Who You Ask
On paper, Resorts World remains one of the Strip’s most ambitious projects, having opened with much fanfare in 2021. Its mix of sleek modernism, global branding, and celebrity partnerships made it a standout in a city that thrives on reinvention.
But for regulators and industry veterans, this incident cuts deep. Nevada has spent decades tightening its rules and distancing itself from the mafia-linked past that haunted Vegas for so long. This case? A step backward.
The NGCB made that clear in its closing remarks: “Privilege, not entitlement, defines the right to operate a gaming license in this state.”
And maybe that’s the biggest message of all.
