Nevada gaming regulators have initiated proceedings to ban convicted bookmaker Wayne Nix from all casinos in the state, signaling a stricter approach to the intersection of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and casino access.
On Wednesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) voted to nominate Wayne Nix for the state’s List of Excluded Persons, commonly known as the “Black Book.” If the Nevada Gaming Commission approves the nomination later this month, Nix will be permanently barred from entering any licensed venue in the state.
The move stems from an investigation revealing that major Strip properties, specifically MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan, accepted millions of dollars in wagers and cash from Nix while he operated an illegal betting ring in California.
Nix, a former minor-league baseball player, pleaded guilty in 2022 to operating an illegal gambling business and tax fraud. Evidence presented by state lawyers detailed how Nix transported proceeds from his illegal operation to Las Vegas, using the cash to settle markers and gamble.
Regulators emphasized that Nix’s presence in Nevada casinos posed a threat to the state’s interests. Board member George Assad remarked that Nix was using the casinos to launder money rather than for legitimate gaming, stating that exclusion is necessary to draw a boundary between regulated operators and illegal betting networks.
The fallout from Nix’s activities has already led to significant repercussions, including an $8.5 million penalty paid by MGM Resorts and the loss of a gaming license for a former executive.
This action is part of a broader crackdown by Nevada authorities on relationships between casinos and illegal bookmakers. Recent sanctions have also been levied against Resorts World and Caesars Entertainment for similar AML failures involving other figures.
The impending decision on Nix serves as a warning to operators that patron suitability and source-of-funds checks are critical compliance obligations.
