The Nevada Gaming Commission is currently deliberating over the penalties to be imposed on Nicole Bowyer, the wife of an illegal bookmaker involved in a high-profile gambling scandal. The delay comes as the Commission seeks to impose stricter penalties in light of Bowyer’s role in her husband’s unlawful activities.
Delayed decision on penalties for Nicole Bowyer:
The Nevada Gaming Commission held a hearing Thursday to discuss the case of Nicole Bowyer, who faces a potential five-year suspension from her role as an independent agent with Resorts World Las Vegas. Bowyer, who did not attend the hearing in Boulder City, has been under investigation for her involvement in a bookmaking scheme with her husband, Mathew Bowyer. The couple’s involvement in the illegal gambling ring raised concerns after it was revealed that Nicole Bowyer had received commissions linked to her husband’s betting activities.
In the hearing, Commission members expressed dissatisfaction with the current settlement terms, which would have allowed Bowyer to reapply for her agent status after a five-year revocation. The commissioners emphasized the desire for stronger penalties, including the possibility of a lifetime ban on her agent status. They also noted that Bowyer’s failure to provide adequate documentation on fines imposed on her husband, who is awaiting sentencing for his involvement in illegal gambling and money laundering, was a key factor in postponing a decision.
As Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, in 2022 and 2023, Nicole Bowyer received substantial commissions—$165,661.73 in 2022 and $501,786.18 in 2023—from Resorts World Las Vegas for her work as an independent agent. These payments were allegedly tied to her husband’s gambling activities, though it remains unclear whether Mathew Bowyer was required to forfeit any of the funds in connection with his federal case.
Nicole Bowyer’s involvement in the scandal stems from her role as an independent agent at Resorts World. She began working for the casino in 2022, after her husband, Mathew Bowyer, made a $1 million deposit to gamble there. Despite the casino’s failure to verify the source of his funds, Nicole Bowyer continued to act as her husband’s casino host. In July 2022, she was formally registered as an independent agent and received commissions based on his gambling losses.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) subsequently filed a complaint against Bowyer, accusing her of violating state gaming regulations by failing to report her husband as a client and accepting commissions for his gambling activities. Additionally, Bowyer was charged with not cooperating with investigations, as she did not respond to Board agents’ attempts to contact her in July 2023.
While Bowyer did eventually cooperate with investigators, her initial lack of response raised concerns among commissioners, prompting calls for more severe penalties.
Ongoing investigation into Resorts World and the Bowyer couple:
According to KSNV, the controversy surrounding Resorts World Las Vegas has expanded to include several high-profile figures, including Mathew Bowyer’s involvement with Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara, who admitted to funding his gambling activities by embezzling from Ohtani, was among the known associates of Mathew Bowyer. Federal authorities raided Mizuhara’s home in October 2023 in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Mathew Bowyer, who pleaded guilty to charges of operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return, is awaiting sentencing. He faces significant federal penalties, including possible prison time, and the forfeiture of substantial assets seized by authorities during their investigation.
Despite her cooperation with investigators, Nicole Bowyer’s involvement in the scheme has raised questions about her knowledge of the illicit operations. In a presentation to the Commission, deputy attorney general Nona Lawrence outlined how Bowyer claimed she was unaware of the legal requirements surrounding money laundering reporting. Lawrence also noted that Bowyer had initially failed to cooperate with the investigation, but had since become more forthcoming after receiving federal immunity.
The Commission’s decision regarding Bowyer’s fate has been delayed until at least the next meeting on February 27, as officials continue to review the full scope of the case. Commissioner George Markantonis emphasized the importance of sending a clear message about the integrity of Nevada’s gaming regulations. He expressed concern that Bowyer’s ignorance of the law might be used as a defense to avoid harsher penalties.
Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey also raised doubts about the adequacy of the settlement agreement, particularly considering Bowyer’s earnings of over $500,000 from her role in the gambling operation in 2023. The settlement did not include any monetary penalties, which some Commission members found troubling.