MGM Grand Ex-President To Be Sentenced for Ignoring Illegal Bets After Admitting Awareness of Patron's Bookmaking

By John Lopez

May 08, 2024 04:27 PM EDT

Former MGM Grand president Scott Sibella is set to face sentencing for his involvement in allowing illegal betting activities at the casino.

Sibella's sentencing, scheduled for Wednesday, follows his January guilty plea to a federal criminal charge related to failing to report millions of dollars in wagers by an illegal bookmaker at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, CNBC reports.

MGM Grand Ex-President Faces Sentencing for Ignoring Illegal Betting

As president of MGM Grand from August 2017 to February 2019, Sibella admitted to being aware of a patron, Wayne Nix, running an illegal bookmaking operation, as per the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Despite this knowledge, Sibella allowed Nix to gamble at the casino using proceeds from the illegal business without notifying the compliance department. By 2020, the MGM Grand had accepted over $4 million in cash from Nix's illicit activities.

In January, the DOJ's press release stated, "Not only did Sibella allow Nix to gamble at the casino, he also authorized Nix to receive complimentary benefits... to further encourage Nix to patronize the casino."

Nix, a former minor league baseball player, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to operating an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return.

First New Resort On Las Vegas Strip In A Decade Opens For Business — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 24: Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella speaks during the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas on June 24, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Genting Group's property opens on the former site of the Stardust Resort & Casino and is the first new resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip since The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened in 2010. At USD 4.3 billion, it is the most expensive property ever developed in Las Vegas and features three towers with 3,500 guest rooms and suites, a 117,000-square-foot casino and a 5,000-seat theater on its nearly 88-acre site.
(Photo : Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Money Laundering Probe

Following Sibella's guilty plea, the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas settled a related DOJ money laundering probe by agreeing to pay $7.45 million and enhance their compliance programs.

Sibella's attorneys seek leniency, advocating for probation, as per Fortune. However, Nevada regulators are considering revoking or suspending Sibella's gambling license and imposing fines of up to $750,000.

Sibella, who held top positions at The Mirage and Treasure Island before joining MGM Grand, was later dismissed from Resorts World Las Vegas in September 2023 for violating company policies and employment terms.