Potential Hiccup for Resorts World NYC Casino Bid: Ohtani Interpreter Gambling Controversy
The examination into the illegal sports betting activities of Ippei Mizuhara, a previous interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shoei Ohtani, could have negative effects on Genting's goals of obtaining a New York City casino license.
Genting, a Malaysian company, operates Resorts World New York in Queens - a slots-only establishment that is competing to get one of the three downstate casino permits anticipated to be granted by New York State regulators in late 2025 or early the next year. In addition, Genting manages Resorts World Las Vegas, one of the gaming venues where Mizuhara moved part of the $16 million he supposedly stole from Ohtani.
Investigators presume Mizuhara deposited money into accounts at Resorts World Las Vegas and Pechanga Resort Casino, a Native American gaming venue in Southern California. This cash was used for casino chips, and when these chips were cashed in, the proceeds were routed to California-based bookmaker Mathew Bowyer - a bookmaker in California of whom Mizuhara owed money.
Earlier this month, a memo from the Strip property surfaced stating that Mizuhara has never been a customer. However, Bowyer was a regular guest at Resorts World Las Vegas and has reportedly lost almost $8 million at the integrated resort between June 2022 and October 2023.
Probe Might Harm Resorts World New York's Chances
Although the New York City casino process has been slow, there was belief at the start that Genting's Queens property was a top pick to win one of the three permits. It has been functioning since 2011 and, despite not offering table games, it's one of the highest-grossing regional casinos in the country and has transferred over $4 billion to New York's public education systems.
Regardless of these facets, it's not as likely that they will be overlooked by regulators. Yet, as some experts shared with Carl Campanile and Josh Kosman of the New York Post, in terms of casino licensing, reputation is fundamental. Gambling lawyer Nelson Rose, who writes the Gambling and the Law blog, informed the Post, "The standard for casino licensing is reputation."
This incident could hurt the casino industry, particularly since it arises right after legal sports betting proliferated across the nation. The US Supreme Court invalidated the federal law barring state legalization of sports gambling only in May 2018. In a May 3 article on his blog, Rose commented, "As is the case with the junket scandal involving Suncity, this incident severely harms the gaming industry."
Although Bowyer is not implicated in the Mizuhara scandal, he is being investigated by the IRS and an anonymous Las Vegas source told the Post he has a background as a black-market bookie in Sin City. This set of circumstances could influence Genting when competing for a New York casino license.
Sibella's Role
Scott Sibella, who used to be the president of Resorts World Las Vegas and the head of MGM Grand on the Strip, could be involved in the New York casino race. Last September, he was given a fine and probation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for permitting prohibited bookmakers to gamble at MGM Grand.
Last September, the Post stated that Sibella's previous association with Genting's Las Vegas casino-hotel could create reputational risks for the operator in New York. Besides Resorts World New York, MGM's Empire City Casino in Yonkers is viewed as a leading candidate for one of the three downstate licenses. The potential issues regarding the Mizuhara and Sibella cases must be considered by New York regulators in their casino competition. picture 1 Ippei Mizuhara picture 2 Field of View: Resorts World and Genting Group Chairman Lim Kok Thay signing MOU with Nakheel and Damac Hotels & Resorts on a $550 million deal for Damac's AKOYA Oxygen development.
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Source: www.casino.org
