Scott Sibella’s career in the state’s gambling sector will come to an end as a result of the tentative agreement by Nevada gaming regulators to cancel his gaming license. In a deal with the former Resorts World and MGM Grand executive, the Nevada Gaming Control Board fined him $10,000 and prohibited him from returning to the industry for five years.
The Nevada Gaming Commission still needs to approve the stipulation, which also adds Sibella to the board’s list of denials and revocations. To complete the agreement, the commission will meet in Boulder City on Thursday. This ruling comes after Sibella entered a guilty plea in December 2023 in a federal lawsuit involving his failure to disclose suspicious activity while working at MGM Grand in violation of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
Sibella’s Guilty Plea and Its Impact
Sibella’s legal troubles stem from his tenure as president of MGM Grand, where illegal bookmaker Wayne Nix freely gambled despite ongoing federal investigations. In May, U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee sentenced Sibella to a year of probation and a $9,500 fine for violating the Bank Secrecy Act. He also paid a $100 special assessment.
The Control Board’s settlement primarily addresses his actions at MGM Grand. However, the agreement also resolves any “responsibility attributable” to Sibella during his time at Resorts World, where regulators allege management overlooked illegal gambling activity. These allegations include ties to bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who was convicted for illegal betting operations.
While license revocations in Nevada are uncommon, Sibella’s case demonstrates the gravity of failing to comply with AML regulations. Although the $10,000 fine is minimal, losing his suitability finding carries a severe penalty. Without a gaming license, Sibella is barred from holding any key executive roles in Nevada’s casino industry until at least December 2028.
Regulators in other states often follow Nevada’s precedent in disciplinary actions. This could make it difficult for Sibella to secure leadership roles elsewhere in the U.S.
The Nevada Gaming Commission is not expected to increase the fine beyond the proposed amount. Instead, Sibella’s ban from the industry underscores the state’s strict stance on compliance and accountability among gaming executives.
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