LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Nevada Gaming Control Board has revoked the gaming license of former president and Chief Operating Officer of MGM Grand and Resorts World Las Vegas, Scott Sibella.
According to officials around July 27th, 2018 Sibella failed to file suspicious cash payments involving Wayne Nix who was engaged in illegal bookmaking and provided MGM grand $120,000 to pay a maker.
Makers are also known as short-term casino loans.
On Dec. 18, 2023 Sibella plead guilty. He admitted to knowing that Nix was engaged in illegal bookmaking and allowed him to continue. Sibella also admitted to not looking into the suspicious activity, stated attorney Mike Salas.
Sibella agreed to the terms of the settlement which require him to pay the board $10,000 and have his gaming approvals revoked.
Three complaints were submitted to the board for consideration of revocation.
- The first count has to do with the federal law
- The second count has to do with Sibella knowingly allowing an illegal bookmaker to gamble at and patronize the MGM grand.
- The third count pertains to his failure to comply with the company’s AML policies and internal controls.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board voted 3 to 1 on Thursday in favor of removing Sibella’s gaming rights. One board members did recuse themself from a vote due to their long-term relationship with the former executive.
Sibella shared a few words where he did not take full accountability but alluded to others leaving him in the dark regarding important information of the illegal activity.
“I did not attend compliance meetings at MGM” said Sibella. “When I first met Mr. Nix he had already been well established with MGM resorts for almost 3 years, I had no idea he was a bookmaker”
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