Anti-Money Laundering Investigation Hits Southern Nevada

LAS VEGAS — Nevada's top gambling watchdogs appear to be struggling to manage — or even track — the growing number of anti-money laundering (AML) investigations engulfing the state’s casino industry.

In a surprise disclosure last week, it emerged during a Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) hearing that Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the newest luxury resort on the Strip, is under investigation over its handling of casino credit issuance. The probe had not been publicly confirmed prior to the hearing, highlighting the apparent disconnect between regulatory agencies and the opaque nature of ongoing enforcement.

 

The Developments

The Fontainebleau investigation was inadvertently revealed during a routine licensing discussion for resort president Maurice Wooden. Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey asked Wooden to comment on “issues that are currently going on at the Fontainebleau with respect to credit issuance,” according to the Nevada Current. Wooden appeared caught off guard, responding that he was unaware of any specific AML investigation.

That exchange prompted an immediate intervention by Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) Chair Kirk Hendrick, who requested that further discussion be halted. “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,” Hendrick said, according to the Nevada Independent.

The NGCB, which handles investigations and recommends disciplinary actions, declined to comment on the probe.

Despite the pending investigation, Wooden’s license was approved unanimously — though with a two-year limit, a departure from the NGCB's initial recommendation of an unrestricted license. Fontainebleau called the matter an “ongoing audit” and said it was “pleased that Maurice Wooden was found suitable.”

Details about the investigation remain scarce, but testimony during the hearing indicated that casino executives had denied credit to certain patrons, only for ownership to override those decisions. Five accounts were reviewed, and three reportedly raised red flags with regulators.

One of those accounts may belong to Damien LeForbes, a former professional poker player and alleged illegal bookmaker. The Nevada Current reported that Fontainebleau issued a $2 million credit marker to LeForbes in January 2024. He has been linked to other AML investigations involving MGM Resorts and Resorts World Las Vegas. LeForbes is also connected to Matt Bowyer, a central figure in several ongoing probes.

Professional gambler and frequent whistleblower RJ Cipriani has publicly claimed that LeForbes used the funds from the Fontainebleau marker to pay off other debts before defaulting. Cipriani said all casinos that dealt with LeForbes and Bowyer are now under scrutiny by the NGCB.

The Fontainebleau case is the latest in a series of AML-related probes to roil the Nevada casino sector. The recurring presence of familiar names — both from the gambling and regulatory communities — has raised concerns about enforcement consistency and systemic oversight failures.

 

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.

 

The Future

Wooden himself is a recurring figure in AML discussions. He previously served as president of Wynn Las Vegas from 2013 to 2018. At the same NGC meeting last Thursday, Wynn Resorts was fined $5.5 million for AML violations related to unlicensed money transfers, some of which occurred during Wooden’s tenure.

“AML is one of the most important topics, if not the most important, we discuss in our leadership meetings,” Wooden told the commission during last week's hearing.

As scandals continue to surface, some within Nevada’s gaming regulation ecosystem appear increasingly uneasy about their ability to maintain confidentiality and public trust. With enforcement efforts expanding and overlapping, the challenge for regulators now is not only compliance — but also coordination.