The Nevada regulator has given Resorts World Las Vegas more time to reply.

Las Vegas Resorts & Casino
Last week, the extension was initially mentioned in Genting Berhad's (Resorts World's parent company) Q3 financial report. Yesterday (2 December), the NGCB verified to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the casino had requested and been approved for the extension.

The 31-page complaint, which was initially filed on August 15th, details significant wrongdoing by the Strip property. An "overall lack of control" was supposedly the outcome of Resorts World's welcoming "individuals with suspected and actual ties to illegal bookmaking," illegal gambling, and organised crime.

The National Gaming Control Board has officially asked the Nevada Gaming Commission to crack down on the gambling establishment. With regard to regulatory problems, the NGCB is the prosecutor in Nevada, while the NGC serves as the judge and jury. Possible disciplinary measures may involve penalties, the suspension or revocation of a licence, or the property may be placed under the supervision of the state.

Resorts World embroiled in scandal involving illicit bookmaking
The business has been shocked by Resorts World's involvement in an illicit bookmaking scam. Initiating the NGCB complaint was Mathew Bowyer, a bookie from California who has wagered millions at Resorts World since its opening in 2021.

Ippei Mizuhara, who had previously worked as Shohei Ohtani's Japanese interpreter, was Bowyer's bookie. In order to settle her debts with Bowyer, Mizuhara stole almost $17 million (£13.4 million/€16.2 million) from the MLB star, and she is now facing punishment. Bowyer and his associates would launder money at Resorts World and Pechanga Resort Casino in California, among other casinos. Also employed by Resorts World as Bowyer's personal host was his wife Nicole.

During that time, Scott Sibella was also Resorts World's president and chief operating officer. Few more facts were provided when he was suddenly let go last September for breaking company policy. Subsequently, in May, he entered a guilty plea for AML violations that originated from his tenure as president of MGM Grand. He was fined $9,500 and given a probationary term of one year. There are allegations that he facilitated the $120,000 cash payment by another notorious illegal bookie, Wayne Nix, inside the MGM Grand.

Rumour has it that Sibella is the subject of a separate inquiry by the NGCB; however, no specifics have been announced.

Poor timing following the third quarter's end
Given that the casino recently experienced its worst quarterly performance in two years, the timing of the response is less than ideal. Revenue for the third quarter came in at $177 million, down 18% from $218 million in the second quarter. EBITDA fell even more precipitously, falling 68% from $50 million to $16 million.

The business stated in their report that these two things were responsible for it. Two things came to mind: "an abnormally hot summer in Las Vegas" and "economic uncertainty in an election year."

"RWLV is committed to pursuing growth opportunities. We are actively working to increase our database of high-net-worth customers and encourage repeat visits. Our goal is to partner with both existing and new convention groups to bring in high-margin group business. Additionally, we are investing in innovative dining concepts, entertainment options, and retail offerings to boost our operating leverage," the company stated in its report.