The Venetian Resort Las Vegas has been fined $7.2m for failing to prevent the gambling activities carried out by illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, which have now cost multiple operators a total of $34m in combined penalties.
Resorts World Las Vegas was hit with the biggest fine of $10.5m by regulators, while MGM Resorts International ($8.5m) and Caesars Entertainment ($7.8m) each agreed to stipulated settlements with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) in 2025.
According to the complaint filed against Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the operator allowed Bowyer to wager “millions of dollars” and deposit approximately $22.3m between 2019 and 2021 when Las Vegas Sands controlled the property.
Personnel at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas knew as far back as 2019 that Bowyer was an illegal bookmaker, but the property failed to issue a ban against the convicted gambler until March 2024 when presented with information related to his activity.
Apollo Global Management acquired the Venetian Resort Las Vegas and the Palazzo in February 2022 for $6.25bn, and therefore assumed responsibility for the regulatory fine due to taking on all assets and liabilities at time of purchase.
Greg Brower – a legal representative for the Venetian Resort Las Vegas – confirmed the operator would not comment on the fine until the Nevada Gaming Commission meets in August to formally approve or deny the penalty.
NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer stated “We heard and saw loud and clear that there were limitations and concerns with AML.
"The industry has seen that and resoundingly got around this culture of compliance and the need to put compliance over commerce. We believe these (regulations) will make real differences."
On June 9, the NGCB officially completed its regulatory modernization initiative originally launched in July 2025, featuring enhancements to technology and anti-money laundering requirements.
The initiative encompassed 43 regulation projects, marking one of the Board’s “most comprehensive” modernization efforts performed in recent years.
The NGCB nominated convicted illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer to join the state’s ‘Black Book’ in January, which would prohibit him from entering any commercial gaming establishment in Nevada
