The chairman of the board of Resorts World Las Vegas said Nevada gaming regulators can be confident of the dialogue between local leadership and the parent company based in Malaysia.
Former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval addressed concerns last week about the governance and compliance issues the property has faced since it opened in June 2021 and ultimately led to a $10.5 million last year for its dealings with an illegal bookmaker.
Genting Berhad created a Las Vegas board in December 2024 to strengthen the company’s corporate governance and business strategy, and today that board includes Nevada residents Sandoval and gaming attorney A.G. Burnett, who were licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission. The Commission also signed off on Genting CEO Kong Han Tan and Genting Plantations CEO Keon Hui Lim to serve on the board. Their appearance was waived at the meeting, because they were previously licensed.
In talking about the cooperation, Sandoval said Wednesday he participated in a meeting at 10:30 p.m. because of the time difference between Las Vegas and Malaysia.
“Our board and I participated in regular meetings with Genting Berhad,” Sandoval said. “You can be confident with the engagement between the two. I’ve been very pleased to see the amount of engagement. Conversations happen between the management on the property and (Genting executives).”
Burnett said Jennifer Roberts, Resorts World’s chief compliance officer, does a “spectacular job” and makes presentations at their board meetings dealing with compliance issues.
“Because of the history of this property, very keen attention is paid to ensure that all the rules and regulations of the Gaming Control Board and Commission are being followed and that no mistakes, like the mistakes that happened before, will happen again,” Burnett said.
Burnett said there wasn’t a failure of Resorts World’s regulatory compliance program. Rather, the failings were with the anti-money-laundering oversight group made up of casino insiders. There is more interplay today between the AML committee and compliance committee, he said.
Commission member Brian Krolicki said Genting Berhad shows its wisdom by bringing on Sandoval and Burnett, who “personify compliance.” Sandoval previously served as chair of the Gaming Commission and Burnett was previously chair of the Gaming Control Board.
“You’ve both been on this side and lived it,” Krolicki said. “You would never knowingly allow a compliance pickle to happen under your watch to the best of your abilities. They choose very wisely. It’s still under a big microscope and people are watching moves, both financially and with compliance. I’m sure complications can still arise regardless of you all. ‘The tone at the top’ are words we use often, but I can’t imagine a better tone at the top for Las Vegas Resorts World than you two.
Commission Chair Jennifer Togliatti agreed that Resorts World made a good decision on their appointments.
In response to a question, Burnett talked about a difficult phase in his career in 2017, when then-Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who was running for governor, put political pressure on the Gaming Control Board to file an amicus brief in contentious litigation going on at the time involving Las Vegas Sands.
“When an investigation is taking place, the Gaming Control Board is hand-in-hand with other agencies, be it the DOJ, CIA or SEC. In this case, federal agencies were involved and several reports generated,” Burnett said. “There was civil litigation regarding this Nevada licensee and somewhere along the line, the litigators felt there was a report that if obtained might be helpful or hurtful to one side or another. So it became a contentious issue in discovery proceedings.”
Burnett said those representing the gaming licensee felt it might help them if the Gaming Control Board were to speak to the court in the form of a brief, to which the staff said no several times. Burnett said the Board would weigh in only if it impacted the gaming regulatory scheme or the state, but third-party litigants are left to fight among themselves.
“A lot of pressure was placed on Mr. Laxalt to have the Gaming Control Board file that amicus brief, and he asked us,” Burnett said. “I said no, and the press found out about that. It became a political issue, because the legislature was in session, but I’m very proud that we held the line and did the right thing. We didn’t cave.”
Burnett said gaming regulators have to “stand firm” when it comes to politics.
Reports at the time said Burnett recorded the conversation with Laxalt, whose largest donor was casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Burnett turned the recording over to the FBI, which found that no crime was committed. The lawsuit involved a wrongful termination lawsuit of an ex-employee of the Sands.
