The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday fined Venetian Las Vegas Gaming LLC, doing business as The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, $7.2 million for the property’s failure to stop an illegal bookmaker from playing at the casino between 2019 and 2021.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve a stipulation and settlement that included the fine, the sixth-highest ever assessed against a Nevada gaming company, with two commissioners recusing because of potential conflicts of interest.
The fine and the illegal activity centered around play by a convicted felon, illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who was a key figure in three previous violations involving three other Strip operators. State fines over his activities now total $34 million.
The illegal activity occurred prior to Venetian’s current operator, Apollo Global Management, purchasing the property. Apollo inherited the problem when it acquired The Venetian from Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The June 11 complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board states that “the current owners of the Venetian … assumed all liabilities relevant to this matter relating to the business” when it purchased the resort and its operations from Las Vegas Sands. Successor liability is common in regulated industries, including casino gaming. Venetian CEO and President Patrick Nichols signed the stipulation of settlement.
Nichols and Venetian’s contracted attorney attended the hearing and answered commissioners’ questions.
Las Vegas Sands on Thursday declined comment.
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.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
