Last year, the Yankees and Mets both struck out Shohei Ohtani, but “Showtime” is still shocking New York City, the battle over state casino licenses in the Big Apple.
A company that backs one of the highest bidders for high-paying gambling licenses is reportedly involved in a federal investigation into a gambling scandal involving Ippei Mizuhara, the disgraced translator for Japan’s baseball superstar. It is reported that he is involved in.
Resorts World Casino in Las Vegas is at the center of a federal investigation because Mr. Mizuhara’s bookmakers frequently placed bets and deposited money there. ESPN reportedquoted a source.
The Las Vegas casino is owned by Malaysia-based Genting, which also operates Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Experts told the Post that the allegations could lead regulators to scrutinize Genting and Resorts World more closely over their bids for one of the casino licenses.
Genting plans to apply for an OK to expand its gambling offerings to include live card table games at its Resorts World slot parlor in Ozone Park, Queens.
Since opening in 2011, Resorts World New York City has become one of the state’s largest cash cows, generating more than $4 billion in revenue that supports the state’s public education funding.
Given its track record in New York, the casino operator is considered one of the top candidates to be awarded one of the three new licenses, industry officials said.
But Genting’s reported links to the Suwon scandal are “bad news” for the company, said Nelson, a longtime gaming expert and legal consultant who writes the blog: Rose said. gamingandtherow.com.
“One of the criteria for a casino license is reputation,” he said.
The Justice Department said Wednesday that Mizuhara had agreed to plead guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion charges after prosecutors said he stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. Announced.
The maximum penalty for the two charges combined is 33 years in prison. He must also pay full restitution to his victims, Ohtani and the IRS.
However, the major cause of Resorts World’s problems is Matthew Bowyer, who is said to be a bookmaker in Suwon.
law enforcement A source told ESPN Bowyer allegedly used Resorts World Las Vegas and another casino to launder money.
Mr. Mizuhara was told to pay the gambling debt to a Bowyer employee, who then deposited it with Resorts World, the people said.
ESPN reported that Bowyer used the money to gamble at casinos, resulting in significant losses himself.
A longtime casino executive based in Las Vegas claimed to the Post that Mr. Bowyer was well known in Sin City as a bookworm.
“He was banned from the Venetian around 2016 because he was an illegal bookmaker,” the source claimed.
He then returned in 2019.
The IRS confirmed that Bowyer is under investigation, but has not been charged with any crime related to the Otani and Mizuhara incidents.
Neither Mr. Bowyer nor his attorney responded to The Post’s requests for comment.
In a separate case, Scott Civella, the former president of Resorts World Las Vegas, was given a suspended sentence on Wednesday for keeping an illegal bookmaker who laundered money through MGM Grand while operating the casino. Ta.
Sibella said In a plea deal with the Department of Justice Although he knew that Wayne Nix, a patron of the MGM Grand, ran an illegal bookbinding business, he still allowed Nix to gamble at the casino with proceeds from illegal gambling. He said that he had done so.
Knicks pleaded guilty to conspiring to operate an illegal sports betting business.
Las Vegas executives said casinos should crack down on accounts to monitor money laundering like the one alleged in the Mizuhara case.
“A lot of the resort’s problems were with Sibella, and in his mind he was untouchable,” said the Las Vegas-based casino executive.
Mr. Civella, who was running Resorts Las Vegas at the time, has not been accused of involvement in the Otani interpreter gambling scandal.
His attorney released the following statement: Sibella is not involved in any of Matthew Bowyer’s book production activities and has no relationship with Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Otani’s former interpreter. ”
MGM is another candidate for a new casino license in New York.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway has also applied for a casino license to offer live card games.
Like Resorts World, its properties only offer electronic gambling games.
The Post previously reported that MGM’s experience with Civella could also hurt MGM’s efforts to obtain a New York casino license.
Resorts World New York City sought to distance itself from the Las Vegas scandal when asked by the Post for comment on the federal investigation.
“Resorts World Las Vegas is completely independent from the public company that owns and operates Resorts World-branded properties in New York. Further details regarding this matter are not available and all questions should be directed to Resorts World Las Vegas. Yes,” said an RW representative.
The company has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Resorts World Las Vegas said it is cooperating with authorities.
“Once the Company became aware of the information regarding Matthew Bowyer, we took immediate action to remove him from our premises. He will not be permitted to re-enter the country and his ban will continue. ” said a statement from Resorts World Las Vegas.
“RWLV is fully committed to its compliance obligations under state and federal laws and regulations, including the consistent application of strict anti-money laundering (AML) procedures,” the company said.
MGM, which operates the Yonkers racino, also declined to comment.
The New York State Gaming Commission declined to comment.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens), whose district borders Resorts World, downplayed the Las Vegas-based federal investigation and said Genting’s strong track record and community work in New York were its trump card. .
“Resorts World is one of the top gambling destinations in the country, racially speaking. They are good neighbors and have helped the community through Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic. ” he said.
Bennett Liebman, who served as deputy commissioner for gaming and horse racing under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said the new development could be a headache for Resorts World’s ambitions in New York, but the new casino license is He said it shouldn’t get in the way.
“This is definitely not good.” [Resorts World]But unless things get worse, they won’t be disqualified,” said Bennett Liebman, who served as deputy secretary for gaming and horse racing under Cuomo.
“We need to see if the Nevada gaming agency is looking into this and what the federal government is doing. If there are really bad findings by regulators, things could change.” .”
Other casino plans include Mets owner Steve Cohen’s bid for an $8 billion project near Citi Field, Bally’s at Ferry Point in the Bronx, a project with Hudson Yards affiliates and Wynn Resorts, and a project with Wynn Resorts in Hell’s Kitchen. Silverstein Properties, So Equity Consortium Gaming Facility, and others. Sands Casino, a complex along the Coney Island boardwalk and the Nassau Coliseum hub in Uniondale.
State regulators are not expected to issue a license until the end of 2025.
