Caesars settles with Nevada Gaming over illegal bookie placing bets

A planned $7.8 million settlement with Caesars Entertainment for permitting an illicit bookmaker to place bets with the business has been approved by Nevada's gaming regulator.

At its November meeting, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved a proposed settlement regarding the actions of Matthew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker who gambled at Las Vegas casinos, including Caesars Palace, using money from his enterprise. A five-count charge alleging Bowyer wagered $2.6 million with Caesars unlawfully over a seven-year period was settled by Caesars and the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Due diligence and anti-money laundering (AML) offenses were charged in the case.

Gary Carano, the chairman of Caesars' board of directors, stated during the meeting that, “The way our AML program operated in this instance was unacceptable. Compliance has always been a part of our DNA.” The NGCB tripled Bowyer's Caesars winnings to reach the $7.8 million mark. According to NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer, “Any notion or concern that Caesars would somehow benefit net of the fine amount is absolutely not the case. They are paying three times more than they won over the period.”

Caesars CEO Tom Reeg remarked, “We know that this entire matter has been a stain on the state [Nevada] and I’m embarrassed that we’re a part of it and sorry that I’m in front of you for this purpose. My directive to our team is clear and I want to make sure that it’s clear to you and on the record, we never sacrifice compliance for revenue. There is no customer that’s worth illegitimate profits. We didn’t catch Bowyer, and we should have, full stop.”

Although the terms of the settlement do not specifically admit or refute the accusations in the five-count complaint against Bowyer, Caesars admitted that it is aware of its shortcomings. Caesars' operations will be altered as part of the NGCB-Caesars settlement to stop similar violations. Caesars has updated its AML program and boosted employee education and training, according to the NGCB. During the settlement hearing, Caesars also mentioned how major business changes, like the purchase of William Hill and the merger with Eldorado Resorts, affected its procedures. Caesars Chief Legal Officer Ed Quatmann claimed that backlogs and other AML issues plagued William Hill's operations. Caesars is working to enhance its procedures for its properties outside of Nevada as well.

Bowyer was the bookmaker for Ippei Mizuhara, a former MLB translator who gambled with Bowyer after stealing about $17 million from baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara was found guilty of bank and tax fraud and sentenced to 57 months in prison. Bowyer also gambled at the MGM Grand and Resorts World Las Vegas using money from his illicit bookmaking company. MGM Resorts was also in serious legal trouble due to its connections to unlicensed bookies, and Resorts World agreed to a $10.5 million settlement with the NGCB for the offenses.

In April 2025, MGM Resorts reached a $8.5 million settlement for permitting Bowyer and bookmaker Wayne Nix to bet at the MGM Grand in violation of anti-money laundering regulations. Additionally, Nix wagered over $4 million using the money he made from his illicit business. For its connections to Nix, a Californian, MGM Resorts and others also paid $7.5 million to the U.S. Attorney's Office in California.

Bowyer was given a 12-month, one-day term in federal prison for money laundering, operating an unlawful gambling operation, and filing a false tax return. While Nix awaits sentencing, he is also mandated to pay $1.6 million in fines.

Source:

“Caesars takes ownership of failures tied to $7.8M settlement with the NGCB” , Justin Byers, sbcamericas.com, November 21, 2025.