Resorts World Must Respond to AML Allegations by December 9

Resorts World Las Vegas has a week to respond to a multi-count disciplinary complaint claiming that the property facilitated money laundering. The casino property’s response originally had to be submitted earlier but the local regulators approved a request for an extension of the response period.

The Response Period Had Been Extended

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Resorts World has failed to fulfill its AML obligations. The regulator alleges that the company allowed individuals with either known or suspected ties to illicit gambling operations to gamble unchecked, thus exposing an AML vulnerability.

As mentioned, the gambling property was granted an extension to file a response to the complaint, which was originally released in August. According to Genting Berhad, the Malaysian operator of Resorts World Las Vegas, the new date for submitting a response was set to December 9.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal contacted the NGCB to confirm this date, which originally appeared in Genting Berhad’s quarterly report. The NGCB explained that the operator had submitted a formal request to extend the deadline, which the board opted to approve. It also confirmed that the company now has until December 9 to respond to the allegations.

What Did Resorts World Mishandle?

On August 15, the NGCB accused Resorts World Las Vegas of an “overall lack of control” when it comes to money laundering. The regulator furthermore implied that executives are aware of the issue but do not take action, thus facilitating money laundering and other criminal activities.

The NGCB referred to known cases in which individuals with suspected or known ties to illegal gaming and betting operations or criminal records involving gambling were allowed and even welcomed at the venue.

The NGCB also referred to а case of misdemeanor from Scott Sibella, the property’s former president and chief operating officer, who was involved in such regulatory violations and charged with violating the federal Bank Secrecy Act during his prior job as president of MGM Grand. Sibella eventually pleaded guilty to a single count of failing to file proper AML records and received a year of probation, as well as a fine.

In any case, the complaint could have dire consequences for Resorts World, which risks losing its license or at least getting placed under regulatory supervision.