Damien LeForbes, a professional poker player known for visiting Las Vegas casinos, accepted a plea deal last week in federal court in California.
He could face up to 15 years in prison for money laundering and running an illegal gambling operation, as reported by the Nevada Current. He might also be required to pay fines totaling as much as $500K when he is finally sentenced.
Prosecutors allege he wagered $148M from January 2022 to December 15, 2023, at an unnamed Las Vegas casino.
LeForbes reportedly lost approximately $12.3M after nearly 50 trips to Resorts World, according to the Current.
However, officials did not specify whether the $148M gaming total was from Resorts World or a different gaming property.
According to the Current, LeForbes allegedly issued a bad check worth $2.5M to Resorts World.
Moreover, LeForbes utilized hosts at the unidentified casino to locate customers for him, according to the Las Vegas TV station KSNV. The report also noted that he received payment in casino chips from gamblers.
LeForbes also ran an unlawful sportsbook in California for a minimum of five years, as reported by KSNV.
Last month, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) disclosed its intention to impose a financial penalty on Resorts World Las Vegas after the casino reportedly allowed illegal bookmakers to gamble without disclosing the origin of the funds.
Included in the NGCB filing was California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, 49. In August, he admitted to running an unlawful gambling operation, laundering money, and filing a fraudulent tax return.
According to ESPN, he allegedly “transferred or directed the transfer” of no less than $9.3M to Resorts World Las Vegas.
Bowyer catered to professional athletes, including Ippei Mizuhara, the translator for MLB Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara took around $17M from Ohtani to settle enormous gambling debts. Ohtani is regarded as a casualty.
Additionally, the NGCB filing mentioned Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto. Both were found guilty of illegal gambling. The NGCB statement disclosed that Ting is "recognized for having connections to organized crime."
Federal prosecutors have not filed charges against Resorts World Las Vegas, as reported by the Current. A spokesperson for the casino stated that the gaming establishment is working with officials.
According to the Current, MGM Resorts is being fined $7.5M for infractions at both MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan. The Current disclosed that each entered into a non-prosecution agreement with federal officials.
LeForbes has a debt of $1M to The Venetian, according to reports from the Current.
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