Pro Poker Player Faces Up To 15 Years in Prison After Admitting Wrongdoing — Report
Last Monday, in federal court in California, professional poker player Damien LeForbes, who often played at casinos in Las Vegas, accepted a plea agreement.
According to the Nevada Current, he may spend up to 15 years in prison for money laundering and running an illicit gaming operation. When he is finally sentenced, he may potentially be required to pay fines of up to $500K.
He allegedly wagered $148 million at an unnamed Las Vegas casino between January 2022 and December 15, 2023, according to the prosecution.
Played at Resorts World
According to the Current, LeForbes lost almost $12.3 million from nearly 50 trips to Resorts World.
However, authorities could not specify if Resorts World or another gambling establishment was the source of the $148 million gaming total.
The Current also claims that LeForbes gave Resorts World a fictitious check for $2.5 million.
Additionally, according to Las Vegas TV station KSNV, LeForbes hired hosts at the unnamed casino to find him patrons. According to the claim, he also received payment from players in casino chips.
According to KSNV, LeForbes also ran an illicit sportsbook in California for at least five years.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) said last month that it intends to penalize Resorts World Las Vegas financially for allegedly allowing unlicensed bookies to wager without disclosing the source of the funds.
The Bowyer Case
California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, 49, was one of the people included in the NGCB file. He entered a guilty plea in August to charges of money laundering, running an illicit gambling operation, and filing a fraudulent tax return.
ESPN claims that he "transferred or directed the transfer" of at least $9.3 million to Resorts World Las Vegas.
Pro sportsmen like Ippei Mizuhara, who provided translation services for MLB Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, were among Bowyer's clients. Mizuhara took almost $17 million from Ohtani to settle huge debts related to gaming. It is believed that Ohtani is a victim.
Additionally, Edwin Ting and Chad Iwamoto were identified in the NGCB complaint. They were both found guilty of gambling illegally. The NGCB statement disclosed that Ting is "known to have ties to organized crime."
According to the Current, Resorts World Las Vegas has not been charged by federal authorities. According to a casino representative, the gambling establishment is assisting law enforcement.
The Current reports that MGM Resorts is paying $7.5 million for infractions at The Cosmopolitan and MGM Grand. The Current disclosed that each of them had a non-prosecution agreement with federal officials.
According to the Current, LeForbes also owes The Venetian $1 million.
