Casino Cabbie: Letter From America 24 | iGaming Future

“Scandal”, often salacious, equally a surprise, despite its prevalence, is The Word this week in our latest Letter From America, as we explore the story of how Resorts World Las Vegas “willingly” allows dirty money to flow as a river through its casino.

And scandal doesn’t just stop at the north end of the famous Vegas Strip.

Among a cornucopia of hot news, we’ve also got a sizzling story on how storied Notre Dame University, of “Gipper” fame, has suspended its men’s swim program amid a massive betting breach.

All this–and more–from our U.S. partner, Casino Cabbie.

Last Resorts

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a disciplinary complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, owned by the Malaysian-based Genting Group.

The complaint–the result of a comprehensive investigation by NGCB agents–states that the operator’s lack of anti-money laundering compliance created a “culture where information of suspicious or illegal activity is, at a minimum, negligently disregarded, or at worst, willfully ignored for financial gain.”

Resorts World now faces multi-million dollar fines and other disciplinary actions for these severe breaches in betting and legal protocols.

NGCB agents found the casino had allowed illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer–and convicted felons Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto–to wager millions of dollars at the establishment.

Brazen in their malfeasance, Resorts executives even contracted Bowyer’s wife, Nicole, as a casino host, allowing her to profit from her husband’s betting.

Resorts World’s anti-money laundering committee is said to have met more than four times to discuss Bowyer’s status. And his source of funds. But took no action — despite knowing that he ran illegal gambling operations.

Responding to the findings, Resorts World has issued the following statement:

“[We are] aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint. We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines.

“We have been actively communicating with the NGCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members.”

This is the latest “misstep” by Resorts World and follows former Resorts President Scott Sibella’s sentencing in May for the Wayne Nix gambling ring.

Swept Away

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is taking steps to curtail the sweepstakes casino market in the U.S., which is estimated to serve over 55 million Americans annually and provides a legal backdoor to online betting in many states.

In an open call to regulators, the trade body has urged gambling commissions countrywide to evaluate and create regulations to prevent sweepstakes from offering what is effectively real-money online gaming and damaging the economic integrity of the legal market.

According to the AGA, sweepstakes, unlike social casinos, use a dual currency system to offer games of chance.

This bypasses regulations and allows players to exchange points for real prizes while offering no responsible gaming protections or guarantees over games.

Drowning in Bets

Joining the growing list of sports betting misconduct cases in the USA, the University of Notre Dame’s men’s swim team is the latest name to surface.

The university has closed its men’s swim program for 2024-2025 after an external review found “deeply embedded” issues, including “numerous violations of NCAA rules prohibiting gambling on intercollegiate swimming and other athletic competitions”.

According to reports, the team created an internal sportsbook and bet on each other’s performance.

Said Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua: “To ensure that this behavior ends and to rebuild a culture of dignity, respect, and exemplary conduct, we have decided to suspend the men’s swimming program for at least one academic year.”

NCAA regulations prohibit student-athletes from betting on their own games or other school sports.

Those involved now face a potential lifetime ban.

Growth That Won’t Stop Giving

U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached US$17.63 billion (£13.75bn) in Q2 2024, marking the industry’s 14th consecutive quarter of growth and resulting in US$3.73 billion (£2.91bn) in state taxes.

Breaking down the figures:

Land-based casinos generated the lion’s share, at US$12.49 billion (£9.74bn), but showed little growth, increasing +1.8 percent year-over-year.

Sports betting, legal in 39 states, generated US$3.16 billion (£2.40bn) in quarterly revenue, increasing +35.3 percent year-over-year.

iGaming, legal in only seven states, hit an all-time high of $1.97 billion (£1.5bn), jumping +25.2 percent year-over-year.

Nebraska Nixed

Nebraska’s special legislative session–called to consider legalising online sports betting in a last-ditch attempt for 2024–has closed without passing new reforms.

With nationwide legislative sessions already shuttered, 2024 is the first year since the 2018 repeal of PASPA that no new state has enacted wagering regulations, halting the expansion of U.S. sports betting.

Missouri Betting Ballot Breaks

Meanwhile, sports betting proponents in Missouri are celebrating this week, as it was confirmed that sports betting legalisation, Constitutional Amendment 2, will appear on Missouri’s November 5 ballot.

The campaign–‘Winning for Missouri Education’, backed by DraftKings and FanDuel–has been working tirelessly to collect enough signatures for the amendment to go to a public vote.

Despite collecting almost double the required number of signatories, public poll data has shown that only 34 percent of Missourians support legalising sports betting, 60 percent oppose it, and four percent are undecided.

With over two months left on the countdown timer, there’s still time to attempt to sway public opinion.

Going To Massachusetts 2025

Massachusetts lawmaker Rep. David Muradian is already preparing for the next legislative session and discussing what 2025’s online casino bill will look like.

Muradian, who is on the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) committee, has said he will use the upcoming NCLGS casino legislative framework to inform his 2025 bid.

However, with the MA iLottery set to launch in 2025 and already eyeing instant win and slots as its subsequent expansion, there may be a conflict of interests on the cards.

Tipped To Lead

President Joe Biden has nominated Patrice Kunesh, the current Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs, as the next head of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), the USA’s only federal gaming commission.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Kunesh will succeed current acting Chair Sharon Avery, who has held the position since May.

Kunesh, of Standing Rock Lakota descent, has, according to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), “demonstrated unwavering dedication to public service and a profound commitment to advancing the interests and well-being of Tribal Nations and communities.”

Her appointment is expected to strengthen “the governance and oversight of Indian gaming, fostering economic development, and enhancing the sovereignty and self-determination of Tribal Nations.”

The news couldn’t come at a better time for Indian Gaming, as many tribes try to navigate new tribal compacts and recent Supreme Court rulings (Florida vs West Flagler in particular) that could create legal pathways into online gaming.