Former bookmaker added to Nevada’s Black Book forward of his sentencing in federal courtroom in March — CDC Gaming

It didn’t take the Nevada Gaming Commission lengthy to exclude California bookmaker Wayne Nix from the state’s Black Book, excluding him from casinos.

Surprisingly with none dialogue, the Commission unanimously accepted a suggestion from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to incorporate the convicted felon. Nix didn’t attend the listening to, nor did he contest the exclusion when served with the discover by licensed mail.

The case concerned ties to MGM Resorts International, which in 2025 was fined $8.5 million for knowingly coping with an unlawful bookmaker as a part of an anti-money-laundering case.

The MGM Grand took $4 million in money from Nix, whereas the Cosmopolitan, which MGM Resorts didn’t personal on the time, took greater than $900,000 in wagers. The MGM Grand case concerned former Chief Operating Officer and President Scott Sibella, who in December 2023 pleaded responsible to federal prices of failing to report Nix. He had his license revoked by the Commission in December 2024.

Nix pleaded responsible in April 2022 to 1 depend of conspiracy to function an unlawful playing enterprise and one depend of subscribing to a false tax return. His long-delayed sentencing listening to is anticipated in March.

Deputy Attorney General Mike Somps outlined the case to the Commission. Nix is eligible for exclusion, as a result of he’s a felon convicted of crimes of ethical turpitude and violating California gaming legal guidelines and has an unsavory repute that will have an effect on public confidence and belief that the gaming trade is free from corrupted parts.

Nix is accused of accepting bets in California and elsewhere and would journey to Las Vegas with money proceeds. The money he carried to Las Vegas was high-demonstration payments, which he transported in duffle baggage, paper baggage and leather-based purses. He used that money for his personal playing and for paying off markers.

“Over the course of six years from 2014 to 2020, Nix took millions of dollars in illegal wagers and frequented Las Vegas casinos and used those illicit proceeds from his illegal bookmaking business to gamble millions of dollars and pay off casino markers,” Somps advised the Commission. “He also solicited new customers from casino marketing hosts at the casinos that he frequented, including offering a commission or gratuity for customer referrals. Mr. Nix also associated with Scott Sibella, the former president of the MGM Grand who is not a revoked licensee, associated with MGM casino hosts and with Cosmopolitan casino hosts. All knew Mr. Nix was the illegal bookmaker and continued to allow Mr. Nix to use illicit proceeds.”