Wynn Las Vegas Faces Consent Decree for a $5.5 Million Fine over Money Laundering Allegations, as Per Gaming Regulators' Decision
Last Modified: May 16, 2025, 6:20 AM
Corey Levitan - Read More || Commercial Gaming || Entertainment || Expert Insight || Las Vegas || Myths of the Strip
The dust has started settling in the gambling hub of Las Vegas, as the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) imposes hefty fines on prestigious casino operators for breaching crucial anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Corey Levitan unveils the details of these penalties, reaching astronomical figures of up to $10.5 million.
In a historic move, Wynn Resorts was recently ordered to pay a mammoth $5.5 million fine to the NGCB to settle allegations of money laundering that surfaced in 2024. This setback followed a more substantial penalty of $130.13 million levied by the Department of Justice — the largest ever for a US casino — for the exact charges in 2024.
Thecharges encompassed a myriad ofA unsuitable methods of operation arising from activities related to unregistered money transmitting businesses, facilitating international monetary transactions, allowing proxy betting, and other prohibited monetary transactions.
In a joint investigation led by the DEA, IRS, and Department of Homeland Security, Wynn Las Vegas was found to have flouted AML regulations by permitting some Chinese clients of ill-repute to access and gamble at the resort on the Strip.
In a remarkable instance highlighted by the DOJ, a Chinese patron who had served a six-year prison term in China for engaging in unauthorized international monetary transactions and violating other financial laws was permitted to gamble at the establishment.
Under the Nonprosecution Agreement (NPA) with the government, Wynn Las Vegas acknowledged the wrongdoings and vowed to fortify its AML protocols. The company also stated that the staff members involved in the questionable transactions had been terminated.
"We're elated to have resolved this matter with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which follows the resolution with the U.S. Attorney's office in September 2024," a Wynn Resorts spokesperson shared with Casino.org. "Wynn Resorts is firmly committed to conducting its operations with the utmost integrity and in complete compliance with all relevant laws and regulations."
Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering Fines on the Strip
Wynn Resorts is not the only Las Vegas Strip operator facing multimillion-dollar money laundering fines. In the past two months, Resorts World and MGM Resorts have also been slapped with penalties worth $10.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively.
These fines stem from AML violations occurring between 2017 and 2023 at various properties on the Las Vegas Strip, including Resorts World and MGM Grand, as well as theCosmopolitan. All the accused cases involve illegal bookmakers awaiting sentencing.
The recent wave of AML fines has led to a review and upgrading of casino compliance measures and security protocols. A clear message is being sent to operators that adherence to anti-money laundering regulations is not a choice, but a mandate, especially in the lucrative and prestigious gambling haven of Vegas.
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has imposed substantial fines on prominent casino operators in Las Vegas, with Wynn Resorts, Resorts World, and MGM Resorts being among them, for violating anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
- Wynn Resorts was ordered to pay a $5.5 million fine to the NGCB for money laundering allegations in 2024, following a $130.13 million penalty from the Department of Justice.
- The charges against Wynn Resorts included unsuitable methods of operation, facilitating illegal monetary transactions, allowing proxy betting, and other prohibited monetary transactions.
- An investigation by the DEA, IRS, and Department of Homeland Security found that Wynn Las Vegas had flouted AML regulations, allowing some Chinese clients of ill-repute to gamble at the resort.
- Under the Nonprosecution Agreement (NPA) with the government, Wynn Las Vegas acknowledged the wrongdoings and promised to strengthen its AML protocols.
- Recently, Resorts World and MGM Resorts have also been fined $10.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for AML violations at various properties on the Las Vegas Strip between 2017 and 2023, involving illegal bookmakers awaiting sentencing.
