Caesars Entertainment is facing a $7.8 million fine as part of an agreed settlement for its dealings with an illegal bookmaker who frequented Caesars Palace until 2024 when the property banned him.
That Nevada fine is on top of an $8 million fine Caesars paid to the federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) in September for violations of the Banking Secrecy Act.
It’s the fourth Las Vegas casino to face a multi-million-dollar fine this year from the Nevada Gaming Commission following action taken against Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International and Resorts World Las Vegas. The Commission will consider this settlement at its Thursday meeting.
“The complaint alleges unsuitable methods of operation arising from the activities at Caesars by illegal bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer,” according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board filing. “The stipulation includes a fine of $7,800,000 payable to Nevada’s General Fund, and dictates specific conditions be placed on Caesars’ gaming approvals.”
The complaint said Caesars received an anonymous call in 2019 that Bowyer was a bookmaker. He’d lost $2 milion over the previous 12 months. Caesars suspended the account before later reinstating it after he showed a win-loss statement from The Cosmopolitan, the complaint said. He was suspended again in 2021 until he could verify his source of funds.
The filing said Caesars banned Bowyer in January 2024, only after his home was raided by the FBI and allegations surfaced that he was a bookmaker.
It’s been quite a year for casino violations in Nevada.
In March, Resorts World was fined $10.5 million in a complaint its agents and affiliated companies catered to illegal bookmakers with ties to organized crime involving millions of dollars. In that case, suspected or known felons wagering at Resorts World included Bowyer, who pleaded guilty in federal court to operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.
The proposed Caesars settlement details numerous remedial measures implemented by Caesars. The majority of the conditions and remediations focus on enhancements to Caesars anti-money laundering program, as well as additional training and employee awareness of AML requirements.
On Thursday, legal counsel for Caesars and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office will explain the terms of the proposed stipulation and request NGC approval of the negotiated settlement.
Earlier this year, Wynn was fined $5.5 million for unregistered international money transfers, while MGM was fined $8.5 million for accepting bets from illegal bookmakers.
