Scott Sibella, former president of Resorts World and MGM Grand, has surrendered his gaming license and accepted a five-year ban from Nevada's gaming industry as part of an agreement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

The settlement resolves a three-count complaint filed in April, which alleged Sibella allowed Wayne Nix, a former minor-league baseball player known to operate an illegal sports-betting business, to gamble millions at MGM Grand between August 2017 and February 2019.

Earlier in January 2024, Sibella pleaded guilty in federal court for violating the Bank Secrecy Act by failing to file required suspicious transaction reports for Nix's wagering activities. He received one year's probation and a $9,500 fine.

The NGCB settlement includes:

• Immediate surrender of gaming license
• Five-year industry ban
• $10,000 fine to cover investigation costs

While the original complaint focused on MGM Grand incidents, the settlement also covers potential violations during Sibella's leadership at Resorts World. The casino is currently facing a separate 12-count disciplinary complaint from NGCB for alleged anti-money laundering violations.

Resorts World has been connected to several gambling scandals since its 2021 opening, including cases involving bookmakers Edwin Ting, Chad Iwamoto, and Mathew Bowyer. Notable among these is Bowyer's connection to the Shohei Ohtani case, where interpreter Ippei Mizuhara allegedly laundered $16 million through casino accounts. Bowyer's sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

The Nevada Gaming Commission must still approve the settlement before it becomes final.

Related Articles

Previous Articles