Resorts World is under federal scrutiny after revelations that three gamblers, currently under investigation for their involvement in illegal sports betting rings, lost nearly $24 million at the casino since its opening less than three years ago. The venue reportedly failed to detect this suspicious activity, which could result in substantial fines if proven true.

A Black Market Operation Allegedly Operated Undisturbed

The investigation, led by federal authorities from California, aims to determine the extent of the alleged money laundering activities and could result in a significant fine for Resorts World. A recent report by local news outlet The Nevada Current revealed that the Nevada Gaming Control Board has also launched a related inquiry into multiple casinos.

This suspected money laundering operation connects to the legal case against Ippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who reportedly stole $4.5 million and gambled them away with a black market betting ring. Illegal bookmakers are known to launder money by wiring illicit funds to casinos, later withdrawing most of these funds.

Matt Bowyer, who has admitted to taking bets from Mizuhara, made 32 trips to Resorts World, losing $7.9 million between 2022 and 2023. Some of Mizuhara’s weekly payments to Bowyer, up to $500,000 each, were reportedly deposited into another suspect’s gambling account at Resorts World to obfuscate the source of the funds.

Resorts World Faces Pressure over Sibella’s Actions

Damien LeForbes, another high-roller who reportedly lost $12.3 million over nearly four dozen trips to Resorts World, and Real Housewives of Orange County star Ryan Boyajian are the other two individuals suspected of aiding Bowyer. The three men have not faced charges, but the situation may change as the authorities collect more evidence of their alleged illegal activities.

The ongoing investigation follows the court case against ex-Resorts World executive Scott Sibella, who received a sentence for his earlier anti-money laundering (AML) violations. Sibella turned a blind eye to suspicious activities, not unlike Bowyer’s alleged gambling ring. By opting not to report such transactions, Sibella effectively violated the federal Bank Secrecy Act and was sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

As the investigation continues, Resorts World could face significant penalties if found complicit in the alleged money laundering operations, underscoring the complexities and risks of maintaining compliance in the high-stakes world of casino gambling. Recent revelations highlight how such black market schemes may be more common than expected, necessitating increased vigilance by casinos.

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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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If you’re an avid online bettor, chances are that you hear about slots fairly frequently. They are the most popular online casino game played by new and experienced bettors, and you’ll find them on most betting websites worldwide. The demand for online slots is so great that even top software providers spend a lot of their time creating these simple and exciting games. Before you start playing slots, however, it’s crucial to understand that there are two main types of this online casino game – demo and real money slots.

While demo slots serve as a form of recreation for online bettors, real money slots allow players to win money from online wagering. However, this is easier said than done. Are you interested in playing real money slots and don’t know how to go about it? This piece will break down what you need to know about these games.

What are real money slots?

As mentioned earlier, there are two types of online slots available to bettors – demo and real money slots. Both types are designed to thrill bettors with similar features and mechanics. However, you’d do well to note that demo slots are designed to ensure bettors can play their favorite titles without using money, while real money slots are the opposite. While demo slots offer the same features as their real money counterparts, they aren’t useful for anything more than practice or leisure gaming.

Real money slots are designed to offer online bettors a similar experience to what they’ll get when they visit physical betting venues. However, unlike slot machines that need to be physically accessed, real money slots can be played from anywhere, on your mobile device or PC. This popular casino game is available in different themes and styles from top-rated software providers, allowing players to choose from hundreds of well-designed titles.

Before you start staking, it’s crucial to ensure you’re playing a reliable title from a reputable software provider. If you bet on unregulated real money slots, you may end up losing a significant amount of money. So, always ensure you verify a game’s rating and reviews, and check the casino’s credentials to protect your interest.

How do real money slots work?

One of the most exciting things to note about real money slots is that they are relatively easy to play. All you have to do is set the amount you wish to bet, and click on spin to play each round. After clicking on spin, the symbols in the reels will rotate for a few seconds. Whether or not you win on real money slots is dependent on the final position of the symbols. So, be sure to read through the slot’s guide to understand its paylines and everything you need to win. In the same section, you’ll also find a paytable containing information about the payout assigned to each symbol.

When you play an online slot, you’ll discover several attractive symbols arranged in rows and columns. This row and column format is popularly known as reels. You should note here that the number of rows and columns (reels) in a real money slot has a significant effect on its paylines and additional bonuses. The different types of reels available to online bettors include 3×3, 4×3, 5×3, 5×4 etc.

How to win on real money slots

Slots are an incredibly popular online casino choice for new and experienced bettors because of how easy it is to win money from its titles. The final position of symbols on the reels after the spinning has stopped will determine whether or not you’ve won that round. Hence, it’s essential that you form a winning combination of symbols on the game’s paylines. However, the final value of your payout depends on the value and number of symbols that make up the winning combination. As mentioned earlier, you can study the paylines and paytable of an online slot in its help section.

If you are like most online bettors, you may wonder how online slots determine when a player wins or loses. You may also want to know if these real money slot results are under any form of undue influence. Well, the answer is quite simple – real money slots results are determined by a random number generator (RNG). Hence, these games are free from any third-party influence and there’s no way to predict the final position of symbols.

What do RTP and volatility mean in real money slots?

Every real money slot has a return to player (RTP) rate, which indicates how frequently the online slot machine pays bettors. To determine this value, the software is subject to millions of spins, after which the payout percentage is averaged.

On the other hand, volatility refers to how the game’s payout is distributed. If a real money slot has high volatility, it means players will enjoy significant wins that occur occasionally. However, a lower volatility rating means the players will only get small, frequent wins from that particular slot.

Conclusion

Any bettor looking for a good way to enjoy online betting should try their hand at real money slots. These games are designed to put you in control and make you feel like you’re controlling a physical slot machine. However, there’s plenty to learn about these online casino games before you can make money from them, so this piece should help you understand the main features of real money slots.

The post Real Money Slots Explained – Casino News Daily appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A $36 million Mega Millions jackpot has gone unclaimed after the winner never showed up. The winning ticket was sold months ago but no one turned up to collect it.

According to Florida Lottery officials, the winning ticket was sold at a grocery store in Jacksonville. The customer, according to the lottery, had matched all six winning numbers for the August 15 drawing, including the Mega Ball.

For reference, the winning combination was 18, 39, 42, 57 and 63, plus a Mega Ball of 7. The game consists of 70 white numbered balls and 25 Mega Balls, making it very difficult to match all six numbers. Despite doing just that, the lucky client never showed up to claim the jackpot.

Under the rules of the Florida Lottery, all winnings should be redeemed within 180 days. In this case, the period within which the prize had to be redeemed ended on February 11.

Unclaimed Money Are Donated or Returned to the Lottery

Under normal circumstances, 80% of the unredeemed lottery money in Florida goes to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The rest is returned to the lottery prize pool. However, since Mega Millions is an interstate game, the money will be split between the states where the Mega Millions game is available.

The money that will be sent back is $17.5 million since this is the actual cash value of the unclaimed jackpot. For reference, the customer could have claimed the $36 million instead if agreeing for the jackpot to be paid out in installments over a 30-year period.

In order to avoid unclaimed winnings, many lotteries across the US have introduced online safeguards, linking winnings to players’ accounts. However, retail tickets still carry certain risks, sometimes resulting in unclaimed prizes.

Speaking of jackpot games, Powerball and the DC Lottery are now facing a lawsuit over an alleged winning numbers error. This stems from a case where a Washington DC man was sure that he had won the Powerball prize but was later told that he didn’t hit the jackpot because of a mistake in the announced winning numbers.

The post $36M Jackpot Goes Unclaimed in Florida, Money to Be Returned appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post Ontario Casino Faces $52K Fine for Alleged Money Laundering Incident appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Don Leon, a Greek trap star, has been arrested for alleged involvement in ATM robberies. According to the Greek City Times, the musician had laundered the money through casinos in the country.

Don Leon, 28, had two accomplices aged 27 and 26. The three men used explosives and metal-cutting tools to rob ATMs across the country, stealing a total of $770,000. The trapper and his accomplices gambled some of the money to launder it and also laundered large sums through the Greek music industry.

The local police pointed out that the robbers were also involved in vehicle stealing operations and used the stolen vehicles to conduct their operations throughout the country. However, the culprits’ criminal adventure eventually came to an end when the police apprehended them in Kifisia.

The police caught up to the three men just after another ATM robbery, this time in Ermioni. The Greek City Times report noted that they had stolen roughly $215,000 from that ATM.

The police raid saw law enforcers seize a large number of weapons and explosives. This included 1.5kg of explosives, a pyrotechnic rope, an M16 assault rifle and a number of pistols. The police also seized a metal cutting wheel and other tools that facilitated the burglary. In addition to the seized items, the police took roughly $222,000 in cash.

The police learned that the weapons broke Greece’s weapons laws. Some of the firearms were found in the residence of a relative of one of the suspects, leading to an additional arrest.

This Isn’t the First Time Don Leon Has Had Trouble with the Police

This is not the first time Don Leon has been arrested for involvement in gang activity. Back in 2021, the trapper was arrested for similar crimes. He was released in January 2023, insisting that he was not guilty of the crimes, the Greek City Time says.

The police will now continue to investigate Don Leon and his accomplices’ activities as it is believed that the full extent of their operation is yet to be seen. Greek authorities believe that further investigation is needed to uncover the “intricate connection” between organized crime, financial malfeasance and the entertainment industry.

The Greek City Times said that the current case may raise questions about the effectiveness of the law, considering that Don Leon liked to publicly display his wealth.

In the meantime, the police also consider the possibility of the trapper being a part of a broader criminal network.

The post Greek Trapper Laundered Stolen ATM Money through Casinos, Police Says appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A Spanish police officer has been sentenced for embezzling money to gamble. The man will now serve a five-month suspended prison sentence and a 10-month disqualification period.

The incident happened in 2020 when the man and his team cracked down on an illegal drug operation. At the scene, the officer and his colleagues seized bags of marijuana and almost $10,000 in cash.

Instead of safeguarding the cash found at the scene, the officer decided to appropriate it when his colleagues were not looking. Eight hours later, the man proceeded to treat himself at a local casino with the money he embezzled. To make matters worse, the police officer hit a streak of losses, eventually returning home with none of the cash he had hoped to earn. 

The police later asked the man to return the seized items. After he handed only the drugs, his suspicious colleagues reported the incident, leading to an investigation into the matter. In the end, the police officer’s crime came to light.

The man was able to return the money, which, luckily for him, was a major mitigating factor, leading to a much lighter sentence. As a result, he was only handed a suspended sentence. However, the prosecution can still try to appeal the decision.

More Recent Criminal Activities in the Gambling Sector

In other news, Binance Holdings, the world’s largest crypto exchange, admitted to violating anti-money laundering regulations in the United States. The company intentionally focused on profits, neglecting its AML responsibilities. As a result of its guilty plea, Binance will have to pay $4 billion to resolve the investigation.

Changpeng Zhao, the company’s founder and chief executive officer, resigned from his position as a result of the case. 

Elsewhere, a fatal shooting occurred at Osage Casino & Hotel in the United States where an alleged car and credit card thief tried to escape from the police. According to reports from local news outlets, the man was fatally shot by a bystander while he was trying to escape with a car and dragging a police officer who had been trying to stop him across the pavement.

The identities of the deceased person and the shooter are yet to be revealed as of the time of this writing.

The post Spanish Police Officer Took Crime Scene Money to Gamble, Got a Sentence   appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The collaboration between the leading publisher of iGaming content, Yggdrasil, and ReelPlay, the creator of high-quality digital gaming content for regulated casino operators, started in 

2021 when the developer of the Infinity Reels joined the GATI-powered YG Masters program.

Ever since, the two companies have closely collaborated for the release of a number of games, with Hercules 10K WAYS, Bucks and Doe 10K WAYS, Going Wild in Vegas WildFight, and Big Bucks Buffalo GigaBlox among the freshest launches.

Today, the duo has announced the release of Mega Money Machine, another interesting release with an innovative set of reels meant to provide players with the opportunity to score some important wins. 

Mega Money Machine Metrics Overview

• Rows: 1
• Reels: 3-4
• Paylines: 1 
• Volatility: Medium-High
• Max win: 10,510x
• RTP: 96%
• Hit frequency: 31.36%
• Min/Max Bet: 0.20-20
• Release date: November 16, 2023

Shifting Reels and 100x Potential Payout Multipliers

The new slot, therefore, only counts one win line and it is easily played over three or four reels. This number depends on the chosen stake. The total win is established by the combination of numbers that is seen landing on the middle payline. 

The combination of numbers is joined from left to right to create the total win, and it depends on the amount of the bet that the player has selected.

During each new spin, the reels’ positions are prone to shifting, with a 0 or 00 seen shifting to the rightmost reel. In return, this can increase players’ payouts by multipliers ranging from 10x to 100x.

Only One Line Matters 

Yggdrasil’s chief gaming officer, Mark McGinley, commented on ReelPlay’s “superbly successful” membership in the YG Masters program, praising the way the privately held business based in Sydney has managed to confidently explore fresh mechanics and themes over the years. 

McGinley added that none of the previous titles released via the GATI technology were “as bold as what we see in Mega Money Machine.”

The CGO praised the straightforward game packed with high-paced action where “only one line matters” while also mentioning the visually clear manner in which players are acquainted with their payouts. 

At the same time, ReelPlay’s chief executive officer, David Johnson, chose to speak about the “relatively simple ‘what you see is what you win’ mechanic” that proves their capacity to go from complex proprietary 10K WAYS and INFINITY REELS engines to simplified formats that can cater to a plethora of different players without skimping on playability. 

The post Yggdrasil & ReelPlay Release Mega Money Machine via GATI appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Former Australian MP Russell Northe was slapped with a prison sentence after using his position to gamble with taxpayer money. The court handed the ex-politician a 21-month sentence in spite of his ongoing mental health problems.

Northe is a former Victorian MP who became a member of the Nationals’ parliament in 2006. However, he left the party in 2017 because of mental health problems. Despite that, he didn’t quit politics and was elected as an independent a year later.

As an independent, Northe was allowed to use taxpayer money to cover expenses. Unfortunately, the 57-year-old man couldn’t resist the temptation that access to such money offered and misused it to gamble.

According to the lawsuit, the former MP created fake invoices and bank statements in an effort to cover up his tracks. Over two years, he claimed AUD 173,400 (roughly $109,900 in USD) in fraudulent expenses. Northe directed the money to his Tabcorp and Ladbrokes accounts and lost all of it by placing thousands of losing bets.

Northe was originally charged with this crime in September, following an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). A year later, the man pleaded guilty to two charges of misconduct in public office.

Northe’s Addiction Was Caused by Stress and Isolation

Northe’s gambling problem was likely due to the mental health problems he experienced. Described as a sophisticated man by Judge Michael McInerney, the ex-MP struggled with isolation because of his position.

Northe was notably geographically isolated from his family, causing him to develop addictive tendencies. He incurred further stress because of Australian wildfires, which worsened his condition. Despite being described as a hardworking MP, Northe eventually became addicted to alcohol and gambling.

Unfortunately, the defendant was not a very good gambler either, eventually racking up debts totaling $400,000 ($253,500 in USD).

Northe’s condition caused further concerns about his sentence. Christin Tom, the former MP’s lawyer, pointed out that the sentence may worsen Northe’s condition. However, Judge McInerney pointed out that these mitigating factors had been taken into consideration. In addition, the former MP will have to serve a minimum of 12 months in prison before being eligible for parole.

The post Former Australian MP Jailed for Gambling with Taxpayer Money appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In the wake of his departure from Resorts World Las Vegas, the company’s ex-president and COO, Scott Sibella, has been accused of allowing criminals to gamble. Robert Cipriani, a Californian high roller, alleges that Sibella would knowingly “turn a blind eye” to multiple patrons who gambled with stolen money.

Through their negligence, the casino resort and Sibella himself have caused distress to Cipriani, the plaintiff says.

Filed in the US District Court of Nevada, the suit alleges that Robert Alexander, a person who was involved in a previous incident with Cipriani, used money that he had stolen from his investors to gamble at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Cipriani tried to tip off Sibella and the casino staff about what was happening but they allegedly ignored him. In addition, Alexander allegedly subjected the plaintiff to weeks of harassment and intimidation.

For reference, in November 2021, Alexander and Cipriani were involved in a case that caused Cipriani to be charged with robbery and larceny. These charges were eventually dropped. Alexander, on the other hand, has previously pled guilty to wire fraud and securities fraud.

This Wasn’t the Only Time the Resort Allowed Convicted Criminals to Play, the Plaintiff Says

As outlined in the lawsuit, Cipriani had also tried to inform the casino staff of additional criminal activities. The plaintiff provided screenshots of conversations between himself and the casino property’s surveillance operations manager, Joseph Tatonetti, as proof. The images prove that Cipriani had indeed tipped off Tatonetti about two criminals, notably Brandon Sattler and Edwin Ting, who were allowed to play at the casino.

Cipriani and Tatonetti agreed that Ting, who once operated an illegal gambling ring, should not have gotten through compliance. The manager had replied that “the cage director is really pissed about it as well.”

Cipriani will now seek compensations for alleged damages that Resorts World Las Vegas and Sibella have caused.

Speaking of Sibella, the aforementioned lawsuit comes a few weeks after the former Resorts World Las Vegas president was forced to leave the company because of unspecified violations. In the meantime, Resorts World Las Vegas named its chief financial officer, Peter LaVoie, as its new president.

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