Betting watchdog cites Wynn, Resorts World Vegas scandals as concern for pending NYC casino bids
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.Recent betting scandals on The Strip could be potential roadblocks for two major bidders — Wynn Resorts in Hudson Yards and Resorts World at Aqueduct in Queens — vying for New York City’s highly coveted casino licenses, according to the head of the New York State Gaming Commission.“Of particular concern to me are that two of our ….potential bidders for a new casino license, have been cited in Las Vegas for various violations of the law,” said Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the state Gaming Commission.
“These allegations are serious.”Nevada-based Wynn Resorts — which has plans with Related Companies for a $12 billion gaming complex in Hudson Yards — agreed this month to fork over $130 million to settle a federal probe into unauthorized foreign money transfers to its Wynn Las Vegas casino.The settlement is believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on admissions of criminal wrongdoing,” according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.A Department of Justice investigation found the casino was involved with “an unlicensed agent using foreign bank accounts to funnel money to China and other countries to patrons that are ineligible to access cash in the United States,” O’Dwyer said.
Wynn, however, downplayed the settlement.“Wynn Las Vegas’ settlement with the DOJ regarding the actions of former employees years ago did not result in a fine nor any charges against the Company,” a Wynn spokesman told The Post.Meanwhile, Resorts World Las Vegas — owned by the Malaysian Genting Group — allegedly violated the anti-laundering law by doing business with illegal bookmakers in an August complaint filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.O’Dwyer said the illegal bookies — including one for MLB sensation Shohei Ohtani’s disgraced translator — were allowed to gamble in the millions of dollars.“These allegations in the complaint are particu...