Resorts World, a leading hotel and casino complex in Las Vegas, has come under fire from investigators who are looking into alleged money laundering activities by three heavy-spending gamblers. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is examining several gambling establishments including Resorts World in light of information that came to their attention about huge losses incurred at these facilities.

Trio’s $24M Loss Ignites Concerns of Criminal Activity at Resorts World

Those close to the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity said the trio currently being investigated by federal authorities for their involvement with illegal sports betting rings lost a combined $24 million over three years while gambling at Resorts World, reported the Nevada Current. This announcement has prompted fears about possible criminal behavior within said premises.

There have been no official charges made against the gamblers but if found guilty in any way connected with this investigation it could be disastrous for Resorts World as well. The seriousness attached to these allegations can be seen through the active participation of California-based FBI agents among others.

According to reports, Damien LeForbes is among those mentioned as having lost an enormous sum – $12.3 million during his many visits to Resorts World. In addition, it has also emerged that he gave them a worthless $2.5 million cheque which however did not result in legal actions being taken against him up to now.

Ryan Boyajian visited the casino 21 times and lost 3.7 million dollars during the visits. He is a reality TV star known for starring in “Real Housewives of Orange County”. 

Additionally, a California bookie by the name of Matt Bowyer went to Resorts World 32 times between 2022 and 2023 where he lost 7.9 million dollars.

Alleged Illegal Activities Connections Prompt Las Vegas Casino Probe

No formal charges have been made against any of the three gamblers notwithstanding their colossal financial downfalls. Nonetheless, their involvement with illegal gambling operations which include stealing money from well-known sports personalities’ accounts has led to more questions being asked about their honesty in their gambling activities.

In addition to Resorts World, several gaming facilities in Las Vegas are being investigated. The Nevada Gaming Control Board and federal authorities are both looking into potential cases of money laundering and other illegal activities at casinos in the area. Scott Sibella, a former president at Resorts World, is another example of someone who has gotten in trouble for supposedly helping with unlawful gambling while working for MGM Grand.

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a CA$70,000 ($52,000) fine on MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc., the operator of Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. This punishment aligns with AGCO’s increased scrutiny in recent months as the regulator strengthens its enforcement policy. Fallsview Casino announced it would appeal the fine, likely heralding a more in-depth review of the case.

A Patron Engaged in Highly Suspicious Activity

AGCO’s latest news release stated that the incident occurred in April 2023 when a patron visited the Salon Privé, a high-limit gaming area within Fallsview Casino Resort known for offering sophistication and discretion. The patron reportedly handed CA$80,000 ($60,000) in strapped CA$100 bills, carried in a reusable grocery bag, to a casino attendant.

Surveillance footage revealed that after the money was counted and confirmed, the patron left the table with casino chips without engaging in any gambling activity at that time. Notably, the AGCO stated that the identified patron was previously flagged as “high risk” by the casino. However, employees took no measures to inform officials or on-site police as per standard protocols.

The AGCO further highlighted that Fallsview Casino failed to take meaningful steps to verify the source of the patron’s funds, a requirement under the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming’s anti-money laundering rules. The lack of action constitutes a substantial violation of AML guidelines and safe gambling requirements, justifying the steep CA$70,000 fine.

The Casino Is Determined to Appeal These Accusations

In response to the fine, a spokesperson for Fallsview Casino expressed disagreement, asserting the venue’s commitment to compliance and ethical conduct. Registered operators can contest such decisions and bring their case before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

“Fallsview Casino Resort is a company devoted to compliance and good citizenship. We will be appealing the decision and look forward to presenting our case.”

Fallsview Casino statement

This newest fine reflects AGCO’s continued vigilance and determination to ensure a safe and sustainable gambling sector. The authority has been very proactive recently, pursuing even high-profile operators such as PointsBet for responsible gaming breaches. AGCO noted it maintained close communication with operators, ensuring they adhered to its rigorous standards.

The CA$70,000 fine, CA$10,000 less than the alleged laundered amount, signals the regulatory authority’s uncompromising stance on adherence to anti-money laundering regulations within the province’s gambling establishments. Fallsview Casino’s decision to appeal should hopefully shed more light on the case, revealing whether the establishment failed its AML responsibilities.

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A staggering number of journalists, 192 in total, have stepped forward to address the Cambodian Ministry of Information regarding allegations of extortion from the Top Diamand Casino situated in Takeo Province. The venue claims that 828 individuals claiming to be journalists had abused their position to secure free food and monetary gifts, prompting an official investigation.

The Government Vowed to Take Action

Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra warned the journalists implicated in the bribery, mandating their appearance before the Ministry within a month to elucidate the situation and cooperate with the inquiry. Presently, 192 representatives from 107 media outlets have appeared, signifying their readiness to discuss the allegations made by the casino.

Tep Asnarith, Information Ministry spokesman, emphasized that journalists and media outlets who failed to verify their names would face legal action. Article 7/11 of the Law on the Press prohibits journalists from accepting bribes or extortion for publishing or withholding information, giving the government the means to pursue the alleged offenders.

Top Diamand Casino has pledged to cooperate with authorities, clarifying that its initial statements regarded individuals rather than media units or companies. Several high-profile media organizations have also stepped forward, denying any involvement in the scandal. This incident has gained significant momentum in the country and threatens to damage the reputation of journalists in Cambodia. 

Media Integrity Remains a Priority for the Ministry

Initial investigations revealed that many names on the list were not affiliated with any official media and likely faked their credentials to receive free offerings. However, Nop Vy, Executive Director of the Cambodian Journalist Alliance (CamboJA), noted that this case should serve as a lesson to the broader media industry.

The preventive measures are to educate, strengthen the understanding of media, and provide professional training to journalists with the collective participation of all stakeholders.

Nop Vy, CamboJA Executive Director

Speaking for The Khmer Times, Vy noted that improved educational campaigns would help journalists better adhere to ethical practices and perform their work professionally and without conflicts of interest. He added that strict adherence to these principles was the only way to improve the public perception of media representatives and dispel doubts regarding their integrity.

This recent case highlights Cambodia’s ongoing battle with corruption. Although the country left the FATF Grey List in February 2023, it still struggles with issues like illegal gambling and money laundering. The Ministry of Information remains committed to addressing the observed ethical breaches and ensuring that journalism in Cambodia adheres to lawful and professional standards.

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A homicide suspect has been apprehended at the Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The man in question is Arthur Guty Jr, 55, who is suspected of having killed his own wife, Nicole Zambrano, in Pennsylvania.

The 26-year-old Venezuelan woman worked as a housekeeper at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort but didn’t turn up to work for three days last week. Her colleagues were unable to contact her and became concerned. Because of that, they called the police, which, in turn, contacted Guty.

Guty, authorities say, provided inaccurate and conflicting information. However, the police eventually found the young woman’s body at the couple’s residence in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on Monday. This prompted an immediate investigation and a search for Guty.

Using Guty’s mobile device pings, the police managed to track the man to Las Vegas. The local authorities were contacted and were able to apprehend the man after looking for him for 12 hours. He was eventually discovered eating breakfast at the casino. At the time of his arrest, the man had $100,000 in cash in his possession.

Pennsylvania authorities want Guty to be extradited from Nevada so that he can be questioned in the state where the homicide happened. A warrant from the former state’s authorities charges Guty with criminal homicide and aggravated assault. The counts are yet to be officialized.

Guty Tried to Escape, Authorities Believe

Considering Guty’s situation and the money he carried with him, authorities believe that the man was trying to escape from the police. This theory is further supported by the fact that Guty provided the authorities with faulty information when asked about his wife’s whereabouts.

According to the local authorities, Guty first said that his wife was in Richmond to see a friend. He also said that she was in Florida with Guty to see his father and a dentist, as well as in Richmond to meet with Guty. At one point he also said that his wife was at the Grand Canyon.

Bob Luick, a neighbor of the couple, was interviewed by local news outlets and said that Guty suspected Zambrano was cheating on him. According to Luick, back then Guty warned that he would “kill her” if this turned out to be correct.

A Cycle of Violence

According to reports, Guty himself was the target of a murder plot previously. While this case bears no direct connection to the recent killing of Zambrano, the authorities learned that Guty’s ex-wife, Roxanne Guty, had attempted to hire a hitman and take half of Arthur Guty’s life insurance.

Roxanne Guty eventually pled guilty to lesser charges.

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In a legal blow to Silicon Valley-based AviaGames, the developer behind popular casino apps like Bingo Tour and Solitaire Clash, a class-action lawsuit has been filed accusing the company of deceiving users into playing against computer bots instead of genuine human opponents.

AviaGames Accused of False Marketing and Bot Manipulation

The lawsuit, filed on November 17 in the US Northern District of California by Andrew Pandolfi of Texas and Mandi Shawcroft of Idaho, claims that AviaGames falsely marketed its platform as a place for users to compete in games of skill against other human players, reported The New York Post. However, the suit alleges that the entire premise is a facade, asserting that AviaGames’ computers populate and control the games with computer bots, manipulating the outcomes.

AviaGames, a privately held company based in Mountain View, California, offers casino apps like Solitaire Clash, Bingo Clash, and Bingo Tour ranking among the top apps in the casino category on both Apple’s App Store and Android’s Google Play store.

The lawsuit argues that AviaGames’ offerings constitute an unapproved gambling enterprise, describing the games as “manipulated games of chance.” The stakes are high for AviaGames, given its popularity and the significant amount of money users collectively wager on its platform.

AviaGames Also Faces Prolonged Legal Battle against Skillz Games

This legal action comes on the heels of lawsuits filed in 2021 by Avia’s rival, Skillz Games, for patent and copyright infringement against AviaGames. These earlier lawsuits uncovered alleged bot use and are still in progress through the court system.

Skillz Games, in its patent case against AviaGames, asserted that the use of bots allowed AviaGames to match up players quickly, gaining a competitive edge over Skillz, where customers sometimes had to wait up to 15 minutes for an opposing human player.

AviaGames has consistently denied the allegations. In response to inquiries about the class-action suit, an AviaGames spokeswoman issued a statement asserting the claims are baseless. The company stands behind its intellectual property, gaming technology, and the integrity of its executive team.

The legal battle between AviaGames and Skillz is set to continue, with an upcoming trial date of February 2, 2024. As the controversy unfolds, some players express longstanding suspicions about the fairness of AviaGames’ platform, with reports of rigged games. 

AviaGames and Skillz offer distinctive variations to traditional games such as bingo, solitaire, blackjack, and Tetris, infusing elements of skill to ensure compliance with legal standards. Nevertheless, in nine states—Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont—laws prohibit skill gaming apps from accepting monetary deposits from players.

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Currently, there are strict rules when it comes to regulating gambling in Ontario, Canada. The province’s gambling regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), constantly monitors the sector to ensure that licensed operators adhere to the established rules. Ultimately, established regulations in the province seek to safeguard the consumers from excessive gambling, prevent and support users that might be affected by the activity.

On Thursday, the AGCO revealed that its Registrar issued a notice of monetary penalty against the online gambling operator PointsBet. The CA$150,000 ($108,600) penalty comes after the Commission alleged that the operator breached several responsible gambling provisions by letting one customer spend more than CA$500,000 ($361,900) over a period of three months.

In light of the notice of monetary penalty, PointsBet can appeal the decision with the License Appeal Tribunal, which is an adjudicative tribunal separate from the gambling watchdog.

“In Ontario, iGaming operators have an obligation to proactively monitor their patrons’ play for signs of high-risk gambling, and to take appropriate actions to intervene and reduce the potential for gambling related harms.“

Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar at AGCO

Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO’s CEO and Registrar, revealed that licensed gambling operators in the province are required to monitor the activities of their customers and prevent excessive gambling. She added that licensees are obligated to take action and reduce gambling harm or at-risk behaviors. “The AGCO will continue to focus on player protection by holding all registered operators to these high standards,” said Schnarr in conclusion.

Recently, the AGCO announced a CA$80,000 ($59,000) monetary penalty against Toronto’s Woodbine Casino. Back in September, the regulator cited an investigation that uncovered insufficient controls at the venue against cheating and collusion between employees and visitors.

The Gambling Regulator Explains the Alleged Breaches

Describing the alleged breaches, the AGCO claimed that PointsBet failed to provide assistance and properly intervene with a player who potentially was experiencing gambling harm. The Commission said that the user was able to lose more than CA$500,000 ($361,900) over three months which is why they were flagged as “high-risk,” by the gambling operator. Additionally, the same customer that kept incurring significant losses also made multiple withdrawal cancellations.

In addition to those warning signs, the AGCO alleged that PointsBet failed to enforce a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period once the player canceled their deposit limit. Moreover, the regulator alleged the operator engaged in direct advertising without the player’s consent, offering credits, bonuses and inducements.

In light of the alleged deficiencies, the AGCO also claimed that PointsBet failed to ensure proper training for its employees on how to deal with customers who may be experiencing problem gambling. The regulator claimed that the operator failed to properly inform its employees of the importance of responsible gambling.

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The popularity of betting on sports is growing not only in the United States but across Europe too. While more sports fans tap into wagering options on their favorite team, the participation of professional athletes in such activities raises concerns. This is precisely the case of Juventus’ rising star and midfielder, Nicolo Fagioli, who is reportedly under investigation. As announced by Italian media outlets, the famous soccer star is under scrutiny over his alleged participation in illegal betting.

Recently, illegal gambling platforms have been a growing concern across Italy. Manuela Pedrotta, a public prosecutor from the Turin Prosecutor’s Office, has been sounding the alarm about illegal betting for a while. In light of the alleged illegal betting, now, the Turin Prosecutor’s Office is trying to determine whether or not Fagioli engaged in illegal wagering.

According to Italian reports, investigators have been looking into illegal betting providers, cross-referencing nicknames and real names registered with such operators. During that process, reportedly, the name of the famous soccer player was matched, resulting in further scrutiny. Giuseppe Chine, a prosecutor for the Italian Football Federation, is currently overseeing the investigation against Fagioli. Details regarding the alleged illegal betting were first received by him back in August.

Tough Sanction May Be Imposed against the Soccer Player

Under the currently established regulation related to gambling, wagering by professional athletes is not prohibited as long as the platform used is legal and the athlete doesn’t place bets on the sport they participate in. The same rule applies to other sports staff, including managers and coaches.

Article 24 of the Code of Sports Justice prohibits: “the subjects of the federal system, the managers, the partners and the members of the companies belonging to the professional sector to place or accept bets, directly or indirectly, also from the subjects authorized to receive them, which have as their object results relating to official matches organized in the within the FIGC, FIFA and UEFA.”

However, wagering on illegal platforms under the current regulations is considered a crime. If the investigation uncovers that Fagioli indeed participated in wagering on illegal platforms, he may be subject to tough sanctions. Usually, such offenses are punished by fines, however, considering Fagioli’s rank of a professional soccer player, he may be subject to suspension from the sport. If the investigation finds Fagioli guilty of such breaches, he may be subject to a suspension of up to three years.

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In September, the gambling regulator in Victoria, Australia, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), issued 35 charges against the operator of the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East, Rumotel Pty Ltd, over alleged failures to implement YourPlay, a mandatory pre-commitment technology, on their electronic gaming machines and kiosks. At the time, the regulator alleged that the operator also failed to ensure compulsory training for its employees.

Now, the VGCCC hit Rumotel with additional charges, alleging breaches related to responsible gambling. On Thursday, the gambling regulator revealed that the operator is facing an additional three new charges, claiming it breached the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct. This happened after allegedly Rumotel failed to ensure a Responsible Gambling Officer was present at all times on the gaming floor.

According to the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct, part of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, currently in effect in the state, operators that fail to ensure the presence of a Responsible Gambling Officer breach their license conditions. Moreover, the VGCCC alleged that the operator failed to maintain a Responsible Gambling Register.

Gambling operators in Victoria are required to have a Responsible Gambling Officer present at all times during operating hours. Such officers intervene whenever patrons show signs of excessive gambling or distress. Whenever such incidents happen, they must be recorded in a dedicated Register, something Rumotel failed to implement, as announced by the VGCCC.

The Regulator Continues to Monitor Compliance of the Gambling Operators

Annette Kimmitt, VGCCC’s CEO, revealed that there are strict rules in effect for gambling operators. Those rules, similar to the ones in other sectors, seek to protect the well-being of casino visitors and protect players from harm. “The VGCCC will continue to pursue venues that deliberately fail to apply their responsible gambling code of conducts in full,” explained Kimmitt in conclusion.

“Just as you wouldn’t operate a public swimming pool without a lifeguard, venues are required to continuously monitor their gaming floors and intervene whenever the welfare of players is at risk.“

Annette Kimmitt, CEO at VGCCC

In light of the additional three charges, the VGCCC said that a fine of AU$1,386,900 ($880,600) may be implemented. Considering the previously described 35 additional alleged breaches, the total for the 38 charges may result in a fine of AU$2,145,072 ($1.36 million).

Last month, the VGCCC hit eight gambling operators, alleging underage gambling. One of the gambling companies impacted at the time was Tabcorp. At the time of the announcement, Kimmitt said that it is an obligation of the gambling operators to stop underage individuals from accessing their venues.

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A recent case involving an unnamed English professional soccer manager has raised eyebrows as the Football Association (FA) decided not to sanction the individual despite evidence of substantial gambling activity. The manager’s betting activities came to light during an alleged blackmail case, further complicating the situation. The FA’s leniency starkly contrasts its recent punishment of high-profile players, garnering significant criticism.

The Alleged Offender Placed Regular Wagers

The manager’s identity remains protected by a court order regarding a 2022 blackmail case, which saw him accuse two professional soccer players, Alan Rogers and Steven Jennings, of extorting him. Both athletes denied the charges, and the manager ultimately withdrew his allegations, stating he wished to move on with his life.

However, court documents regarding the extortion case revealed the unnamed manager had engaged in extensive gambling, wagering £879,000 ($1.1 million) over two years. During this time, he incurred losses of £270,000 ($334,000). His bets notably extended to soccer matches within his league, but the data shows he did not bet on his team.

Such gambling behavior is strictly prohibited and can result in severe punishments. The FA has significantly tightened its enforcement policy, making its decision to pardon the manager highly puzzling. The Association likely decided that taking action could reveal the manager’s identity and risk legal action. However, this lack of enforcement has given rise to accusations of double standards and inconsistent enforcement.

Athletes Faced Harsh Punishments for Much Less

The FA’s renewed focus on sports integrity saw it sanction several high-profile athletes like Harry Toffolo, Chris Maguire, and Ivan Toney. The athletes may face significant repercussions for their careers, highlighting the Association’s focus on preventing potential conflicts of interest and maintaining a level playing field for all participants. 

By strictly enforcing these regulations, the FA hoped to demonstrate it would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the sport’s integrity. However, the decision not to sanction the unnamed manager severely undermines the Association’s image and casts a negative light on its harsh policies. The FA likely had valid reasons to avoid pressing the issue, but other offending individuals may attempt to use this ruling to avoid sanctions.

Although the contrast with the strict punishment meted out to Ivan Toney has fueled controversy and raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the FA’s approach, sports integrity must remain a priority. This case should prompt the Association to implement new policies and ensure that similar offenses cannot avoid sanctions in the future, promoting fairness and transparency.

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Paraguay’s competitions regulator, the CONACOM, will investigate the recent sports betting tender to see if it was indeed unfair, as many people claim. According to the authority, the competition was set in a way that favored the local participant.

The tender to operate Paraguay’s national sports betting franchise was launched last year. The competition was run and overseen by the Conajzar, Paraguay’s official gambling regulator. However, many participants believed that the Conajzar played favorites by making the terms much more favorable to the Paraguayan participant.

DARUMA SAM, a local sports betting company that operates retail properties across the Gran Asunción province, was allegedly favored by the Conajzar, according to many competitors. As reported by SBCNews, the CONACOM agreed that the regulator’s conditions were not fair and noted that it had failed to inform foreign competitors of the tender fees and minimum technical requirements.

Furthermore, the CONACOM noted that the Conajzar did not justify its alleged favoritism. The former authority also slammed the regulator for providing no requirements on due diligence for its participants and for not checking applicants’ criminal records.

In addition, the APOJA, a Paraguayan gambling union, slammed the Conajzar for running a sports betting tender before Paraguay’s rules on sports betting are finalized.

The Saga Has Been Going on for Months

Despite the scrutiny, the Conajzar is firm on awarding the tender to DARUMA SAM, which it considers to be the most capable operator for a national franchise in the country. The authority noted that its decision has been approved by the government as attested by a decree signed by President Mario Abdo Benítez’s office.

In 2022, DARUMA SAM, the recipient of the national sports betting franchise license, was investigated by the Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering, which accused the operator of allowing money laundering at its properties.

Earlier this year, foreign competitors tried to appeal Conajzar’s decision. Many were outraged by the unfair bidding process, involving the regulator in a prolonged legal battle.

Foreign companies claimed that DARUMA SAM had not presented the correct documentation and should have therefore been disqualified from the competition. A consortium of B-Gaming and Gambling SA also slammed the Conajzar for its reluctance to provide proper justification for its decisions.

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