Las Vegas Casinos Face Legal Challenges Over Illegal Gambling

Las Vegas casinos are facing increased scrutiny following regulatory actions against several prominent operators, including Caesars Entertainment. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has charged Caesars with allowing illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer to gamble at its properties for over seven years, leading to a significant $7.8 million fine.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the settlement, which is subject to approval at a public meeting on November 20, requires Caesars to enhance its anti-money laundering controls. The allegations stem from a five-count complaint that details failures in the casino's internal controls, particularly in relation to Bowyer's gambling activities at Caesars Palace and other locations.

Despite being flagged as a high-risk individual since 2017, Bowyer was allowed to wager millions at Caesars properties until he was finally banned in January 2024. Bowyer's illegal operations reportedly included a connection to a broader scandal involving former Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, where Bowyer accepted over $325 million in bets from a convicted translator.

The Nevada Gaming Commission's investigation revealed that Caesars did not adequately investigate Bowyer’s source of funds or take necessary actions despite multiple warnings. This incident marks Caesars as the third major Las Vegas casino to face penalties for similar anti-money laundering failures this year.

MGM Resorts International previously paid an $8.5 million fine, while Resorts World Las Vegas and its parent company Genting Berhad settled for $10.5 million. Casino.org News highlighted that the cumulative fines for these infractions are particularly concerning amidst a 11% decrease in tourism reported from June 2024 to June 2025.

Caesars has publicly stated that integrity and regulatory compliance are key priorities, emphasizing their cooperation with the investigation and commitment to enhancing compliance practices. However, as the industry faces these legal challenges, questions about the overall integrity of the Las Vegas gaming sector and its regulatory framework continue to arise, especially with the ongoing investigations surrounding other properties such as Fontainebleau.