Regulators defer decision on Nicole Bowyer settlement
The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) recently deliberated on a proposed settlement involving Nicole Bowyer, the wife of illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. However, during their discussion, it became evident that the proposed terms were insufficient to address the serious allegations at hand.
During a meeting on January 30th, the NGC scrutinized a settlement negotiated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Representatives from the NGCB and legal counsel for Nicole Bowyer presented the case, but the absence of Bowyer herself loomed large as the commissioners raised numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding her situation.
As stipulated in the proposal, Bowyer would admit to the charges outlined in an NGCB complaint from August 2023, agree to cooperate with future investigations, and face a suspension of her registration as an independent agent for a minimum of five years. This settlement comes in light of her association with Mathew Bowyer, a convicted illegal bookmaker known for laundering proceeds derived from gambling activities at Resorts World Las Vegas, where Nicole served as his personal casino host, accruing substantial earnings from illicit gambling endeavors.
Despite the framework presented, the commissioners expressed confusion and concern over various elements of the proposal. Ultimately, they agreed that the terms were inadequate and opted to table the matter for additional consideration and scrutiny without voting on the settlement. The commission was particularly interested in gaining insight into the couple’s forfeitures linked to their ongoing criminal investigation, noting the absence of a monetary fine in the proposed settlement—a factor they indicated they hoped to rectify. Furthermore, the commissioners sought to impose a lifetime ban, contrasting with the proposed five-year suspension. While Bowyer asserted she had no intention of returning to the Nevada gaming industry, the commission sought formal written confirmation of her intent.
Impact on Nevada’s Gaming Landscape
In defending her actions, Bowyer shifted responsibility onto her husband, who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple federal charges in August 2023. She claimed to investigators that she was merely “a pawn” in specific decisions made by Mathew Bowyer and lacked an understanding of the anti-money laundering (AML) protocols in place. This assertion sparked discontent among the commissioners.
Commissioner George Markantonis dismissed Bowyer’s defense as “flimsy and whimsical,” citing his extensive experience with casino hosts and emphasizing the impossibility of ignorance regarding AML obligations in such a high-stakes environment. He underscored that this incident represented “a major bruising” to the integrity of Nevada’s regulatory framework.
“This case stands as an important lesson for everyone within the industry: claiming ignorance will not absolve one of responsibility,” stated Markantonis. He reiterated that attempts to evade accountability—especially when financial gain is evident—would not be tolerated.
Authority Challenges in Regulatory Compliance
The deliberations among the commissioners also centered on issues of regulatory authority. Should Bowyer relinquish her agent status, she would technically fall outside the reach of gaming regulators, complicating enforcement actions and raising concerns about her future cooperation and financial liabilities.
Initially, Bowyer displayed reluctance to engage with the NGCB, a behavior that prompted skepticism regarding her commitment to comply with any regulatory stipulations. Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey highlighted the necessity of maintaining jurisdiction over Bowyer to ensure compliance with any potential fines or directives, noting her lack of trust due to Bowyer’s previous unresponsiveness.
No timeline has been established for the introduction of an amended settlement proposal, leaving the fate of Nicole Bowyer and the implications for Nevada’s gaming regulations uncertain as the commission seeks to restore accountability and integrity within the industry.
