Caesars Entertainment Fined for Anti-Money Laundering Failures
Posted on: November 14, 2025, 11:04h
Last updated on: November 14, 2025, 11:06h
This week, Caesars Entertainment became the third Las Vegas casino operator this year to be fined by the Nevada Gaming Commission for anti-money laundering (AML) failures connected to illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. The Reno-based company, which operates eight casino resorts on the Strip, has agreed to pay $7.8 million for allowing Bowyer to gamble at their properties despite internal warnings and numerous high-risk flags.
Background on Recent Fines
Caesars follows Resorts World, which was fined $10.5 million in March 2025, and MGM Resorts International, which settled for $8.5 million in April 2025. In all three instances, internal AML procedures were neglected, allowing Bowyer to place bets at the casinos for several years without adequate oversight or intervention from management.
Each of these cases has raised serious questions about the integrity of Las Vegas’ gaming operations, particularly in a climate where regulatory compliance is critical.
Details of the Complaint
According to a five-count, 21-page complaint filed on November 10, Bowyer’s gambling activities took place at several Caesars properties, notably Caesars Palace, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, and Harveys Lake Tahoe (now Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe). The Nevada Gaming Commission has scheduled a public hearing for November 20 to consider the settlement.
In the complaint, Caesars was found to have flagged Bowyer as a high-risk individual as early as 2017 but failed to take action, including verifying his source of funds or banning him from their casinos until January 2024. The investigation revealed multiple missed opportunities to scrutinize Bowyer’s activities adequately.
The Specific Charges
The five charges brought against Caesars regarding their handling of Bowyer include:
- Failure to establish Bowyer’s source of funds.
- Failure to ban Bowyer from gambling.
- Insufficient due diligence following warnings about Bowyer.
- Not elevating concerns about Bowyer to Caesars’ AML officer.
- Neglecting to conduct an investigation into Bowyer’s activities.
Despite these charges, Caesars has stated that they will not admit or deny any allegations as part of the settlement. The company released a statement affirming its commitment to integrity and regulatory compliance, emphasizing their cooperation with the investigation and their dedication to strengthening their AML practices.
The Broader Impact on Las Vegas
This fine comes at a precarious time for Las Vegas, as tourism has reportedly dipped 11% from June 2024 to June 2025. The corporate reputation of the Strip has taken a hit with various investigations and fines, including a $5.5 million penalty levied against Wynn Las Vegas for unrelated AML issues. Further complicating matters, Fontainebleau is reportedly under investigation for potential ties to Bowyer.
Bowyer’s Activities and Criminal Background
Mathew Bowyer, 50, has been at the center of a scandal involving illegal betting, including connections to the Shohei Ohtani scandal. This involved Bowyer accepting over $325 million in bets from Ippei Mizuhara, a convicted felon who stole approximately $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ player.
Bowyer is currently serving a one-year federal prison sentence, raising questions about his extensive gambling activities and the apparent negligence of multiple casino operators in recognizing the red flags associated with his betting behaviors.
Conclusion
As the fallout continues, the Nevada Gaming Commission’s upcoming hearing will be pivotal in establishing the extent to which these regulatory failures will affect Caesars and, by extension, the broader Las Vegas gaming landscape. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges casinos face in navigating AML regulations, particularly in a heavily scrutinized environment.