MGM Resorts Settles $8.5M Fine for Illegal Bookmaker Activity

The Nevada Gaming Commission unanimously approved an $8.5 million fine against MGM Resorts International for allowing illegal bookmakers to gamble and pay off debts at its Las Vegas properties, including MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan. The violations, largely attributed to former MGM Grand president Scott Sibella and inadequate anti-money laundering (AML) controls, involved millions of dollars in unreported cash transactions and failures to file suspicious activity reports. While regulators acknowledged MGM’s prior strong compliance record and culture, they emphasized that individual misconduct had exposed weaknesses in the company’s AML program. MGM accepted responsibility for the violations, apologized publicly, and outlined significant reforms, including enhanced training, improved internal controls, and increased accountability measures to prevent future lapses. Commissioners noted that the case serves as a warning to the broader gaming industry about the critical importance of rigorous compliance practices. The company had previously paid nearly $7.5 million in federal fines for related violations.