Caesars Faces $7.8M Fine in Proposed Settlement with Nevada Gaming Control Board Over Illegal Bookmaking Incident

In a high-profile move underscoring Nevada’s firm stance on gaming integrity, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has reached a proposed Stipulation for Settlement with Caesars Entertainment, Inc. and Desert Palace, LLC, doing business as Caesars Palace, following a disciplinary complaint tied to the activities of an illegal bookmaker operating on Caesars’ property.

The complaint, filed today alongside the proposed settlement, centers on unsuitable methods of operation stemming from the alleged activities of Mathew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker who reportedly exploited gaps in operational oversight at Caesars Palace.

As part of the proposed stipulation, Caesars has agreed to pay a $7.8 million fine to the Nevada General Fund and accept a series of strict compliance conditions designed to bolster its internal controls, particularly around anti-money laundering (AML) procedures.

“This proposed settlement reflects both the seriousness of the violations and Caesars’ commitment to remediation,” said NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer.

Key Points of the Stipulation:

• $7.8 million monetary fine

• Enhanced AML program measures

• Mandatory staff training and increased awareness initiatives

• New compliance obligations tied to Caesars’ gaming approvals

The proposed agreement outlines a range of remedial actions already taken by Caesars, including upgrades to internal reporting mechanisms, revised employee protocols, and the integration of more robust AML tools across their operations.

The settlement will now move to the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) for final review and approval. The NGC is scheduled to hear the matter at its monthly public meeting on November 20, 2025, where legal representatives from both Caesars and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office will present the terms and rationale behind the resolution.

This case adds to growing scrutiny across the gaming industry over compliance lapses tied to illicit financial activities. As regulatory bodies continue to raise the bar on operator responsibility, the Caesars case may set a precedent for how similar violations are addressed moving forward.

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For more details on the meeting and to access the full stipulation document once available, visit the Nevada Gaming Commission’s official website.