The Venetian Resort Las Vegas faces a $7.2 million penalty after Nevada regulators found the property failed to prevent a convicted illegal bookmaker from gambling on-site between 2019 and 2021.
The Nevada Gaming Commission has imposed a $7.2 million fine on Venetian Las Vegas Gaming LLC, operator of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, for failing to prevent illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer from gambling at the property between 2019 and 2021. The penalty, approved by a 3-0 commission vote with two recusals, is the sixth-largest ever issued to a Nevada gaming company.
The fine stems from Bowyer’s activities as a convicted felon and illegal bookmaker, whose presence at The Venetian went undetected for years. Bowyer has been a central figure in multiple regulatory actions against Strip casinos, with total state fines related to his activities now reaching $34 million.
Regulatory Action and Ownership Change
The violations occurred before Apollo Global Management acquired The Venetian from Las Vegas Sands Corp. in a 2022 deal. According to a June 2024 complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Apollo assumed all liabilities tied to the property’s operations, including those related to Bowyer’s gambling. Successor liability is standard in regulated industries such as casino gaming.
Venetian CEO and President Patrick Nichols signed the settlement agreement and, along with the resort’s attorney, addressed questions from commissioners during the hearing. Las Vegas Sands, the previous owner, declined to comment on the matter.
Bowyer’s Impact Across the Strip
Bowyer was officially banned from The Venetian in March 2024 after Apollo’s compliance team identified his activities. He was subsequently added to Nevada’s List of Excluded Persons, commonly known as the “Black Book,” in April, barring him from all Nevada casinos. Bowyer previously pleaded guilty to federal charges including operating an illegal gambling business, filing false tax returns, and money laundering. He was sentenced to just over a year in prison in August 2025 and released in March.
Bowyer’s client list included high-profile individuals such as Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.
Bowyer’s activities have led to significant fines for other major Strip operators, including $10.5 million for Resorts World Las Vegas and Genting Berhad, $8.5 million for MGM Resorts International, and $7.8 million for Caesars Entertainment Inc.
Commissioners Address Compliance Failures
During the hearing, commissioners acknowledged that Apollo was not in control during the period of the violations but criticized Venetian management for not acting more swiftly once Bowyer’s identity was confirmed. Commissioner Brian Krolicki noted Bowyer’s long history at the property and expressed frustration that earlier management was not present to answer questions.
Patrick Nichols, who was not at The Venetian during most of the violations, told regulators that the company has since overhauled its compliance approach. He emphasized that the current policy is to prohibit play from anyone whose source of funds cannot be verified, stating that “no one player, no one deal” is worth risking the property’s or Nevada’s reputation.
Broader Context for Las Vegas Gaming
The fine against The Venetian highlights the ongoing regulatory scrutiny facing major Las Vegas resorts. State regulators have issued a series of large penalties in recent years as part of efforts to enforce anti-money laundering and responsible gaming standards. The case also underscores the importance of robust compliance programs for operators, especially during ownership transitions.
For context, other recent developments in the Las Vegas gaming sector include major investments and regulatory actions, such as Bally’s Corp. preparing to launch the first phase of its $1.1 billion mixed-use project at the former Tropicana site, as reported here.
The Review-Journal is owned by the Adelson family, including Dr. Miriam Adelson, majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Patrick Dumont.
