The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is keeping busy with a new investigation.
The state gaming regulator is investigating Fontainebleau Las Vegas for allegedly violating anti-money laundering (AML) laws, according to testimony from Fontainebleau President Maurice Wooden. The probe was unveiled during a licensing meeting between the NGCB and Wooden regarding an application for licensure as a key executive.
The investigation into Fontainebleau stems from a possible violation of the Bank Secrecy Act after the property allegedly allowed irregular credit issuances. An unnamed player at Fontainebleau was allegedly denied credit at the property by management until ownership overruled the denial prompting allegations of AML violations by gaming agents in Nevada.
Wooden joined Fontainebleau in 2024 after serving as president at hospitality and entertainment giant Landry’s. He was also president at Wynn Las Vegas.
Wooden expressed no prior knowledge of the NGCB’s investigation into Fontainebleau.
“I don’t know of any of the questions you’re asking about right now,” Wooden told commissioners after they learned about the probe through a report for the meeting.
Wooden was granted a license during the meeting following a unanimous vote but he is required to reapply in 2027 as commissioners levied him a two-year licensing term.
He was given a two-year license due to concerns regarding the potential AML violations.
“This is no disparagement to you,” said NGCB Vice Chairman Brian Krolicki during the meeting. “It’s just that we are aware of information, and we can’t unknow it.”
The probe into Fontainebleau was quickly discussed during the session with the NGCB due to the regulator’s ongoing investigation and standards regarding confidentiality.
“This is currently under investigation and it’s therefore confidential by law,” said NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick. “So, I don’t want to go any deeper into this matter until the board has an opportunity to review it and, of course, speak with the licensee.”
SBC Americas reached out to the NGCB about the probe but has yet to receive a response.
A busy start to the year for the NGCB
The investigation into Fontainebleau adds to a long list of regulatory matters for the NGCB.
Resorts World agreed to a proposed $10.5 million settlement in March with NGCB following a probe into its ties to illegal bookmakers. The property settled after the gaming regulator filed a disciplinary complaint for “unsuitable methods of operation.”
The complaint stemmed from the conduct of illegal bookie Matthew Bowyer, who operated an illegal gambling scheme with ties to Ippei Mizuhara—the former interpreter who stole nearly $17 million from MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani to gamble with Bowyer.
Bowyer wagered at Resorts World Las Vegas after the property failed to verify his source of funds, including a $1 million front-money deposit. His illicit activity led to the firing of former Resorts World President Scott Sibella, who knew of the improper gambling.
Sibella also failed to report suspicious transactions while president at MGM Grand.
Last month, MGM Resorts agreed to a $8.5 million settlement with the NGCB for failing to adhere to AML standards by also allowing illegal bookies to gamble at its properties.
MGM Grand had ties to illegal bookie Wayne Nix, who used proceeds from his illegal gambling operation to gamble at Las Vegas casinos. An investigation found that Sibella knowingly failed to report Nix’s behavior while serving as president at MGM Grand.
Wynn Resorts Las Vegas also agreed to a settlement with the NGCB for violating its AML compliance program. The property reached a deal to pay $5.5 million to the NGCB.
The violations by Wynn Resorts Las Vegas were the use of unregistered agents to recruit foreign players to the company’s casinos in the U.S. The agents were used to both pay and receive payment from customers while circumventing AML protocols and rules.
Wynn Las Vegas settled with the NGCB after reaching a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. The deal, which stemmed from the same AML violations, saw Wynn Las Vegas forfeit $130 million to federal authorities—the largest civil asset forfeiture for criminal activity by a casino in U.S. history.
In 2019, the NGCB fined Wynn Resorts a record $20 million for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct. Resorts World’s fine was the second-largest in Nevada gaming history.
