Slip-up
The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) has accidentally revealed that the Fontainebleau casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip is under investigation for potential anti-money laundering (AML) issues.
Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey asked Fontainebleau President Maurice Wooden a question about the probe on Thursday during a meeting regarding his application to get licensed as a key employee.
She asked him to explain ongoing issues “with respect to credit issuance” at the property, to which he replied that he didn’t know anything about such an investigation and that he’s confident in corporate’s compliance policies.
the matter wasn’t listed as confidential
The meeting materials included details of the investigation, and NGC Chairperson Jennifer Togliatti emphasized that the matter wasn’t listed as confidential.
Intended to be confidential
The probe’s basis is that Fontainebleau’s ownership allegedly approved credit after overruling a decision by management to deny credit to a customer.
Wooden said that, to his knowledge, nothing of this kind has occurred since he joined the company in January 2024. He was aware of some issues that had happened in the past.
Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairperson Kirk Hendrick interjected by saying that the topic was supposed to be marked as confidential in the notes. He refused to speak about the issue further until “the board has an opportunity to review it and, of course, speak with the licensee.”
The commission proceeded to unanimously approve a two-year license for Wooden. Several members were uncomfortable with issuing a permanent license amid the uncertainty about possible AML issues.
Widespread issues
One matter that is already in the public domain relates to a $2m gambling marker allegedly given to illegal bookmaker Damien LeForbes not long after the Fontainebleau opened for business in December 2023.
A professional gambler named Robert Cipriani who provided details about money laundering breaches at Resorts World and the MGM Grand to the federal government, posted on X about the credit issuance at the Fontainebleau. MGM had to pay an $8.5m fine in the case, and Resorts World was hit with a $10.5m penalty.
LeForbes gambled regularly at Resorts World Las Vegas without providing any source of funds information, similar to fellow illegal bookmaker Matthew Bowyer. This led to the firing of the property’s president, Scott Sibella.
Wynn Resorts reached a $5.5m settlement on Thursday for similar violations
Speaking to the Nevada Current, Cipriani said he believes that other casinos that accepted business from the illegal bookies, like the Fontainebleau, are facing investigations. Wynn Resorts reached a $5.5m settlement on Thursday for similar violations.
