Former Resorts World Exec Scott Sibella Forfeits Gaming License in Agreement with Nevada Regulators

^{Scott Sibella oversaw the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas in 2021, as well as myriad scandals that followed in the wake of the resort's launch. (Image: Chase Stevens / AP)}

Former Las Vegas casino executive Scott Sibella will be out of the gaming industry in Nevada for at least four years after reaching a settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

Sibella, who formerly served as the chief executive at Resorts World and MGM Grand, will pay a fine of $10,000 and have his gaming license revoked as part of the settlement, which was filed with the Nevada Gaming Commission last week.

Sibella Pled Guilty to Failing to Report Suspicious Transaction

As part of the agreement, the NGCB will also place Sibella on its list of denials, revocations, and findings of unsuitability. That will mean he cannot reapply for a gaming license until December 27, 2028.

That date is five years from when federal authorities filed a plea agreement with Sibella, made after he was charged with failing to file a cash transaction report after known illegal bookmaker Wayne Nix paid $120,000 to the MGM Grand in cash. Sibella pleaded guilty to that charge in US District Court in Los Angeles in January 2024. 

Sibella was sentenced to one year’s probation as a part of that plea deal, and also paid a total of $9,600 in fees and assessments. 

The incident with Nix occurred in 2018. In January, Sibella told federal investigators that he chose to remain ignorant of the source of Nix’s funds.

“I didn’t want to know because of my position,” Sibella told authorities. “I stay out of it. If we know, we can’t allow them to gamble. I didn’t ask, I didn’t want to know I guess because he wasn’t doing anything to cheat the casino.”

Resorts World Under Fire for Letting Felons Gamble

Sibella served as the president of MGM Grand from 2011 through February 2019. At that time, he left his position to lead Resorts World Las Vegas, where he stayed until being dismissed in September 2023. Genting – the company that owns Resorts World – said that Sibella was let go because he violated company policies.

Those violations appear to be similar to the actions Sibella took with Nix at MGM Grand. In August, the NGCB filed a 31-page complaint accusing Resorts World Las Vegas and its affiliated companies of allowing individuals with federal felony convictions and known or suspected illegal bookmakers to wager in its casino. 

The alleged illegal gambling involved millions of dollars of bets over several months, including time when Sibella was serving as president of the resort. Gamblers named in the complaint include Mathew Bowyer, the California bookmaker who took millions in bets from Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter who pleaded guilty to stealing millions from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to cover those wagers.

Resorts World could have its gaming license revoked or restricted as a result of the complaint, and may face fines of up to $3 million.

“Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint,” Resorts World said in a statement at the time of the complaint. “We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines.”