Wynn Las Vegas Faces Imposed $5.5 Million Money Laundering Penalty by Nevada Gambling Authority
May 23, 2025 - Wynn Resorts Faces Multimillion-Dollar Fine for Money-Laundering Charges
Following a thorough investigation, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) announced the approval of a $5.5 million settlement with Wynn Resorts to resolve money-laundering charges. The decision was made during the Nevada Gaming Commission's meeting on May 22, 2025, with Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey casting the solitary dissenting vote.
The charges against Wynn Resorts stem from allegations of unsuitable methods of operation, facilitating international monetary transactions, and allowing prohibited monetary transactions due to activities linked with unregistered money transmitting businesses. These accusations mirrored those presented in a nonprosecution agreement (NPA) made between Wynn Las Vegas and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California in 2024.
The same NPA implicated Wynn Las Vegas in knowingly permitting certain Chinese clients of dubious reputation to gamble at the Strip resort. An illustrative example from the Department of Justice (DOJ) demonstrated that a Chinese patron, who had served six years in prison in China for illicit international monetary transactions and financial law violations, was granted access to the property.
Wynn Resorts admitted wrongdoing and assured that they have strengthened their anti-money laundering protocols since the infractions took place. They confirmed that employees involved in the unsavory transactions were terminated by the company. The settlement comes after a resolution reached with the U.S. Attorney's office in September 2024.
This fine marks the third instance within the past two months where a Las Vegas Strip operator has faced a substantial fine for money laundering incidents. In March 2025, Resorts World agreed to pay $10.5 million for related charges, while in April, MGM Resorts consented to an $8.5 million fine. Both of these fines were tied to the former president of both casinos, Scott Sibella, who admitted to violating the federal Bank Secrecy Act in 2024. He was fired from Resorts World in 2023 and subsequently received a one-year probation sentence, a $9,500 fine, and had his gaming license revoked by the NGCB for five years.
No fine has been reported as yet for Fontainebleau, which is currently under investigation for money laundering.
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) approved a $5.5 million settlement with Wynn Resorts to resolve money-laundering charges, following an investigation into unsuitable methods of operation and international monetary transactions.
- Wynn Resorts, in the heart of Las Vegas, admitted wrongdoing and strengthened their anti-money laundering protocols, having terminated employees involved in the unsavory transactions.
- This fine for Wynn Resorts is a part of a series, as three Las Vegas Strip operators have faced substantial fines for money laundering incidents within the past two months.
- Scott Sibella, the former president of both Resorts World and MGM Resorts, who was fired in 2023, admitted to violating the federal Bank Secrecy Act and was sentenced to one year of probation, a $9,500 fine, and had his gaming license revoked by the NGCB for five years.
- The casino culture in Las Vegas continues to grapple with allegations of money laundering, with Wynn Resorts being the latest example, and Fontainebleau currently under investigation.
- In 2024, Wynn Las Vegas, a Wynn Resorts property, was implicated in knowingly permitting certain Chinese clients of questionable reputation to gamble at the Strip resort, as per an NPA with the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.
