The Nevada Gaming Commission imposed a total of $27 million in fines on Caesars, MGM, and Resorts World in 2025. These industry leaders faced serious penalties for failing to meet AML regulations, putting their casino compliance under a harsh spotlight. Learn what went wrong and how Truth Technologies’ Sentinel™ can help your operation avoid costly gaming industry penalties.
Reasons Behind the Penalties
The massive penalties on Caesars, MGM, and Resorts World were not just about money. The main reason was their inability to implement anti-money laundering (AML) regulations effectively. These rules are in place to detect and prevent illegal financial activities. According to an article from Ballard Sphar, titled “Nevada’s $27 Million AML Crackdown on Caesars, MGM, and Resorts World”, the casinos failed “to detect and prevent suspicious gambling activity tied to convicted bookmaker Mathew Bowyer…”, which is a major violation (Lenahan-Pfahlert & Perry, 2026).
These penalties serve as a wake-up call for the industry. Ignoring these regulations can lead to significant consequences.
Violations of AML Regulations
The Nevada Gaming Commission found that simple checks were overlooked. The casinos didn’t just bypass one or two steps; this negligence allowed suspicious activities to slip through unnoticed.
Each casino faced a unique set of issues and fines:
Caesars
The most recent fine totaling $7.8 million in November 2025, was imposed on Caesars (Nevada Gaming Commission). Caesars allowed bookmaker Mathew Bowyer to gamble in their casinos for seven years despite other casinos banning him starting in 2017 (Lenahan-Pfahlert & Perry, 2026). In 2019, Caesars flagged Bowyer as a “high risk” but did not bar him until January 2024 (Lenahan-Pfahlert & Perry, 2026). Caesars let Bowyer win and lose millions without verifying the origin of his funds. The fine was set at three times Bowyer’s net losses at Caesars, ensuring no profit was made by Caesars (Lenahan-Pfahlert & Perry, 2026).
MGM
MGM incurred a fine of $8.5 million in April 2025, as imposed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This penalty was due to allowing illegal bookmaker Wayne Nix to gamble at the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan (Nevada Gaming Control Board). During the investigation, investigators identified another illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer (Nevada Gaming Control Board). MGM executives and employees permitted Mr. Nix and Mr. Bowyer to gamble in their casinos without conducting proper AML checks (Nevada Gaming Control Board).
Resorts World
Resorts World received the largest fine of $10.5 million in March 2025 (Nevada Gaming Commission). Regulators found that “Resorts World allowed individuals with ties to illegal bookmaking and gambling-related felony convictions to gamble freely” (Lenahan-Pfahlert & Perry, 2026). Resorts World had brand new technology, but even with advanced tech, if it’s not meeting compliance expectations, fines will follow.
These failures underline the importance of having systems in place. Without them, you’re vulnerable to regulatory action and financial penalties.
To read more about the fines, click here or here.
Impact on the Casino Industry
These fines aren’t just a slap on the wrist. It left a mark on these giants. The financial hit was substantial, but the reputational damage could be even worse.
Some implications on the Industry are:
- Hefty penalties for Casino professionals and the companies they represent when regulatory standards aren’t met.
- Erosion of customer and client trust, which can be far more damaging than the fines themselves.
- A growing demand for enterprise-grade compliance solutions capable of keeping pace with evolving regulations.
- Increased pressure on operators to tighten their internal controls, from onboarding to continuous monitoring.
Understanding these implications is essential, as compliance is here to stay.
The Role of Sentinel™
Sentinel™ offers tools that make compliance easier, delivering solutions that ensure you are fully aware of who is conducting business with your casino. Sentinel™ assists your organization by:
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- Proactive measures that help prevent potential AML violations.
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- Continuous updates to keep your systems aligned with the latest regulations.
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- Expert support to ensure your team is always informed and prepared.
These features help you stay compliant with AML regulations, helping safeguard your business against hefty fines.
Preventing Future Gaming Industry Penalties
The longer you wait to address compliance issues, the greater the risk. Sentinel™ can help you avoid the mistakes that landed Caesars, MGM, and Resorts World in hot water.
Schedule a demo today to see how Sentinel™ can reshape your compliance strategy. Don’t let compliance challenges hold you back.
