KUALA LUMPUR – Resorts World Las Vegas, a subsidiary of Bursa-listed Genting Bhd, has been accused by the Nevada Gaming Control Board of serving individuals linked with organised crime groups.
According to a 31-page disciplinary complaint filed by the board yesterday, Resorts World is accused of welcoming “certain individuals” to wager at its casino over a period of “numerous months.”
This, among others, was found during the board’s investigation into the resort, its parent companies and the activities of Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who on August 10 pleaded guilty in a Santa Ana federal court to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and subscribing to a false tax return.
Six of the 12 counts brought by the board against the respondents – Genting Bhd, Peak Avenue Ltd, Suasana Duta Sdn Bhd, Genting Assets Inc, RMLV Holdings Inc and Resorts World – concern Bowyer.
“Resorts World executives and employees knew, or should have known, that certain individuals were likely illegal bookmakers, that they had criminal convictions related to illegal gambling operations, or that they had ties to organised crime,” stated the complaint.
The complaint by the board, a Nevada state entity that serves to eliminate undesirable elements in gaming while providing licensing and operating regulations, also claimed that its investigations revealed an “overall lack of control” within the resort.
This, the board said, is coupled with an “acceptance” among the resort’s executives of a “culture” where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded or, at worst, wilfully ignored for financial gain.
The board attributed the above to an “overall pressure” for Resorts World to generate revenue and the fact that the bonuses of the resort’s executives are directly tied to the resort’s financial success.
“The board’s investigation further revealed that Resorts World failed to fulfil its obligations as the holder of a privileged Nevada gaming licence and caused damage to the reputation of the State of Nevada and Nevada’s gaming industry.
“The board’s investigation remains open and ongoing, and should the federal government exercise its exclusive jurisdiction as a result of violations of federal law… Resorts World, its owners, executives and culpable employees also will be held accountable for any such future action.”
One of the newer properties on the Las Vegas Strip, the largest hub for legal gambling in the United States, the US$4.3 billion (RM19.16 billion) Resorts World opened in June 2021 with 3,500 hotel rooms and a 5,000-seat theatre. – August 16, 2024