Fontainebleau Las Vegas Under Review for Credit Practices

The Fontainebleau Las Vegas is now under scrutiny in an anti-money laundering (AML) investigation related to its credit approval practices, according to information unintentionally revealed during a recent Nevada Gaming Commission meeting.

Good to know

• Fontainebleau’s credit procedures are under review in an AML context.
• The resort opened in December 2023 after years of delays and rising costs.
• Damien LeForbes, tied to other AML probes, is reportedly involved.

Owned by Jeffrey Soffer and Koch Real Estate Investments, the $3.7 billion resort is the newest casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The ongoing AML probe came to light during a discussion about the licensing of Maurice Wooden, who became Fontainebleau’s president in January 2024.

During the hearing, Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey asked Wooden about credit-related issues at the resort. Wooden replied, “I’m not sure of any investigation as it relates to anything with AML. Is there something specific? I’m not sure.”

That triggered an abrupt exchange among officials, as the inquiry was considered confidential. Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) Chair Kirk Hendrick quickly intervened and urged the commission to end the discussion. He stated, “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.”

Despite the uncertainty, the commission granted Wooden a limited two-year license, rather than the unrestricted license originally recommended by the NGCB. Fontainebleau later called the matter an “ongoing audit” and said it was “pleased that Maurice Wooden was found suitable.”

The investigation appears to focus on internal disagreements over issuing casino credit. Reports suggest that in at least one case, credit was denied by management but later approved by ownership. Five player accounts were audited, and the NGCB raised concerns about three of them, according to Fontainebleau executive Stacy Michaels.

One of those players, per the Nevada Current, was Damien LeForbes. The casino reportedly gave him a $2 million marker in January 2024. LeForbes is an illegal bookmaker and former professional poker player, and he has surfaced in other AML investigations involving major Las Vegas casinos like MGM Resorts and Resorts World. His connection to another bookmaker, Matt Bowyer, further ties him to ongoing scandals across the industry.

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