By: Meyer Wolfsheim

New York Post Exclusive: The saying “What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas” seems to hold true, as recent betting scandals in Las Vegas may present serious obstacles for two leading contenders for New York City’s coveted casino licenses—Wynn Resorts in Hudson Yards and Resorts World at Aqueduct in Queens. This comes directly from the head of the New York State Gaming Commission.

“These allegations are serious,” emphasized Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the state Gaming Commission, referencing recent violations by these two bidders. “Of particular concern to me are that two of our potential bidders for a new casino license have been cited in Las Vegas for various violations of the law,” O’Dwyer told the NY Post.

Wynn Resorts, a Nevada-based company planning a $12 billion gaming complex with Related Companies in Hudson Yards, recently agreed to pay $130 million to resolve a federal investigation into unauthorized foreign money transfers to its Wynn Las Vegas casino. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, this is believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on criminal wrongdoing.

The Department of Justice found that Wynn was involved with “an unlicensed agent using foreign bank accounts to funnel money to China and other countries for patrons ineligible to access cash in the United States.” In response, a Wynn spokesperson downplayed the issue, telling The Post, “Wynn Las Vegas’ settlement with the DOJ regarding the actions of former employees years ago did not result in a fine nor any charges against the Company.”

Meanwhile, Resorts World Las Vegas—owned by the Malaysian Genting Group—faced a separate scandal. According to an August complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the casino allegedly violated anti-laundering laws by conducting business with illegal bookmakers. Among these violations were instances where millions of dollars were wagered by such illegal bookies, including one associated with Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, according to O’Dwyer.

O’Dwyer expressed his concerns, noting, “These allegations in the complaint are particularly disturbing in that they allege a culture of non-compliance, where illicit or suspicious activity was either negligently or intentionally disregarded to promote financial gain.” Part of the complaint focused on Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker who placed thousands of sports bets through Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s ex-interpreter. Both Bowyer and Mizuhara have since pleaded guilty to federal charges.

In an effort to distance itself from the scandal, Resorts World New York City—operating a state-licensed slots parlor at Aqueduct for over a decade—highlighted the lack of overlap between its executives and those involved in the Vegas issues. “There is absolutely no overlap between executives at one company or the other, as such one has no say on what the other does,” a spokesperson told The Post.

Despite O’Dwyer’s concerns, he clarified that these allegations may not disqualify the bidders but stressed that it’s the commission’s duty to ensure that licensees maintain the “utmost integrity” and adhere to New York’s gaming regulations.

As New York’s state gaming regulators deliberate on awarding up to three casino licenses by 2025, these controversies could benefit rival bidders, such as Las Vegas Sands, which is eyeing a casino in Nassau County, and Mets owner Steve Cohen, who aims to build one near Citi Field in Queens. An insider from the state gaming commission told The Post that O’Dwyer’s concerns were a clear signal that no bidder has a “free ride”.