Latest news with #WynnLasVegas
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wynn Las Vegas, gaming regulators agree to $5.5 million fine, anti-money laundering steps
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada gaming regulators and Wynn Las Vegas have agreed to a proposed $5.5 million fine related to money laundering violations that were revealed during a 2024 investigation. A news release on Thursday from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) indicates that the settlement could be approved at the May 22 meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission. The proposed settlement dictates specific conditions to be put on Wynn's gaming license, as well as remedial measures, training and employee awareness of anti-money laundering requirements. Wynn Las Vegas forfeited $130 million to federal authorities and admitted to allowing unlicensed money transfers to gamblers at the Las Vegas Strip resort in 2024. A non-prosecution agreement between Wynn Las Vegas and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California contained information cited in the NGCB complaint against Wynn Las Vegas, LLC. Those included: Unsuitable methods of operation arising from activities related to unregistered money transmitting businesses Facilitating international monetary transactions Allowing proxy betting and other prohibited monetary transactions Former employees allowed international customers to gamble money obtained through these transactions. In some instances, wagers were placed for other customers in violation of Wynn's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program, according to the NGCB news release. That constitutes a violation of Wynn's gaming license. 'Upon resolution of the federal case, NGCB Enforcement Agents completed a separate regulatory investigation and received full cooperation from Wynn LV througout the investigation,' according to the NGCB. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$5.5 million Wynn fine OK'd; ‘confidential' Fontainebleau investigation revealed
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — On a day when the Nevada Gaming Commission fined a Las Vegas Strip resort $5.5 million, events that played out a decade ago continued to bring repercussions in the casino business. Wynn Las Vegas LLC agreed to the fine, approved on a 4-1 vote Thursday. That came less than a year after Wynn forfeited $130.1 million to the U.S. Department of Justice in the investigation of improper money transfers — hundreds of transactions in 2014. For Nevada gaming regulators, Wynn's nonprosecution agreement with the feds wasn't enough to let the company's missteps slide. The reputation of Nevada's casinos was too important. The Nevada Gaming Control Board performed its own investigation and hammered Wynn again. The amount of the fine was a point of contention as Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey voted no, believing the fine was just too low. Wynn's lawyers said the fine was on par with other fines issued in 2014, when the violations occurred. Steve Wynn agrees to $10 million fine, end to any ties with Nevada gaming industry And the timing couldn't have been worse for an executive who was up for licensing as a key employee just before the commission levied the $5.5 million fine. Maurice Wooden, president of Fontainebleau Las Vegas, was president at Wynn Las Vegas from 2005 to the end of 2018. The hearing to approve his permanent license took a sharp turn when a new investigation was inadvertently revealed as commissioners questioned Wooden. Apparently unknown to Wooden, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has an active investigation into Fontainebleau affairs, according to testimony at Thursday's meeting. 'This is currently under investigation and is therefore confidential by law,' NGCB Executive Director and Chairman Kirk Hendrick told commissioners after Solis-Rainey referred to the investigation in a question directed to Wooden. 'So I don't want to go any deeper into this matter until the board has an opportunity to review it and, of course, speak with the licensee,' Hendrick said. Solis-Rainey was asking questions related to a Fontainebleau audit, and had asked Wooden for more information about the investigation, which was referenced in materials given to commissioners. Wooden said he didn't have the answers Solis-Rainey sought, and his attorney, Dan Reaser said, 'With regard to the investigation of Mr. Wooden's key employee application, this issue was never raised. So the ability to respond to it was eliminated until today.' Hendrick said, 'It probably should have been marked 'confidential' or 'under investigation.' ' That might have headed off the confusion and the public revelation of an active investigation. Commissioners tried to direct the hearing to get it back on track, but the damage was done. Wooden was asked about his role in transactions identified in the audit as questionable. They involved credit approvals for high-end customers that were ultimately approved by others. They were referred to as 'ownership approvals,' referring to a level of authority to issue credit. 'Mr. Wooden followed procedure, and somebody overrode him following procedure,' Reaser told the commission. Solis-Rainey pressed Wooden on another point: his tenure at Wynn Las Vegas, and what he did or didn't do to press an investigation into Steve Wynn's actions. The company paid a record $20 million fine in 2019 for failing to properly investigate sexual harassment allegations against former CEO Steve Wynn. Wooden said he was aware of one complaint from a masseuse in Wynn's spa. The female employee said Steve Wynn repeatedly removed or made a towel drop to the floor during their session. Wooden said he reported that complaint to the proper channels, but Solis-Rainey didn't think that was enough. Commission Chair Jennifer Togliatti put a point on it: 'If he (Wooden) hadn't been the president of the Wynn, when all of those things were happening in our discipline later today, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.' Instead of issuing a permanent license for Wooden, commissioners gave him a limited license that will be up for review in two years. Commissioners made a number of remarks about the 'old' Wynn and the 'new' Wynn, noting that changes in the company's leadership had brought necessary changes to policies and leadership. Togliatti said the old Wynn was causing today's company to bleed money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wynn Las Vegas, gaming regulators agree to $5.5 million fine, anti-money laundering steps
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada gaming regulators and Wynn Las Vegas have agreed to a proposed $5.5 million fine related to money laundering violations that were revealed during a 2024 investigation. A news release on Thursday from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) indicates that the settlement could be approved at the May 22 meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission. The proposed settlement dictates specific conditions to be put on Wynn's gaming license, as well as remedial measures, training and employee awareness of anti-money laundering requirements. Wynn Las Vegas forfeited $130 million to federal authorities and admitted to allowing unlicensed money transfers to gamblers at the Las Vegas Strip resort in 2024. A non-prosecution agreement between Wynn Las Vegas and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California contained information cited in the NGCB complaint against Wynn Las Vegas, LLC. Those included: Unsuitable methods of operation arising from activities related to unregistered money transmitting businesses Facilitating international monetary transactions Allowing proxy betting and other prohibited monetary transactions Former employees allowed international customers to gamble money obtained through these transactions. In some instances, wagers were placed for other customers in violation of Wynn's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program, according to the NGCB news release. That constitutes a violation of Wynn's gaming license. 'Upon resolution of the federal case, NGCB Enforcement Agents completed a separate regulatory investigation and received full cooperation from Wynn LV througout the investigation,' according to the NGCB. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
THE PREMIER NORTH AMERICA'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS LIST TO BE UNVEILED IN LAS VEGAS ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 Français
LONDON, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- 50 Best announces the inaugural list of North America's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by & Acqua Panna, will be unveiled at Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday, September 25, 2025. This live ceremony marks the first time 50 Best debuts a restaurant ranking for the North American continent. "Las Vegas has long been a city full of world-class hospitality, making it the perfect stage for the first-ever North America's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony," says William Drew, Director of Content for North America's 50 Best Restaurants. "We're thrilled to gather the culinary community of North America in such an iconic location, and we look forward to shining a spotlight on the incredible talent and stories shaping the region's food culture." The awards bring together the best culinary talent spanning North America, culminating in the first-ever announcement of The Best Restaurant in North America. The ceremony will be preceded by special announcements leading up to the awards ceremony, including the Champions of Change Award, Art of Hospitality Award and One To Watch Award. Special Awards will also be revealed on the evening itself, honoring the achievements of individuals and establishments. "At Wynn Las Vegas, we take immense pride in our dining program and recognize the importance of both cultivating and celebrating culinary talent," says Brian Gullbrants, COO – Wynn Resorts North America. "We are honored to participate in a one-of-a-kind roster of culinary events showcasing the most renowned chefs in North America." The ranking will reflect experiences from 300 expert voters – chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage journalists, educators and well-travelled gourmets. The anonymous voters are recruited by industry-leading Academy Chairs across eight sub-regions within North America, including: USA Northeast; USA South; USA Midwest; USA West; Canada East; Canada Central; Canada West; and Caribbean (excluding Cuba and Dominican Republic). Members of the 50 Best organization and sponsors do not vote. The event program for North America's 50 Best Restaurants will include key events: thought-leadership forum #50BestTalks, exploring pertinent hospitality topics; an official 50 Best Press Conference with industry leaders; a Chefs' Feast showcasing the finest ingredients and cooking techniques and the awards ceremony and countdown itself.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
North America's 50 Best Restaurants List Will Launch At Wynn Las Vegas
Atomix was honored at the 2024 World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony in Las Vegas. The 50 Best organization, which is behind the prestigious annual World's 50 Best Restaurants list, will debut North America's 50 Best Restaurants in September. The inaugural North America list, which covers the United States, Canada and parts of the Caribbean, will be unveiled during an awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on September 25. The countdown of the list, sponsored by & Acqua Panna, at Wynn's Encore Theater will be part of a week of North America's 50 Best Restaurants programming that will also include panel discussions, an official press conference and a sumptuous chefs' feast that has been a highlight of many 50 Best gatherings. 'What prompted the launch of North America's 50 Best Restaurants was the feeling that the region has not been hugely represented in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in recent years,' William Drew, director of content at 50 Best, says during an exclusive interview. 'But we know that there's an extraordinary array of great restaurants and great dining opportunities across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. So it felt like a really important thing to shine a light on those restaurants and those dining experiences and the great diversity that North America offers.' The only North American restaurants (not counting Mexico, which is categorized as Latin America in 50 Best lists) in last year's World's 50 Best Restaurants list were New York's Atomix (No. 6) and Healdsburg, California's Singlethread (No. 46). The extended 51-100 list included New York's Le Bernardin, Chicago's Smyth and New York's Cosme. Los Angeles got a nod when Kato was tapped as 'One to Watch' last year. Although World's 50 Best Restaurants skews toward fine dining establishments, North America's 50 Best Restaurants and its 300-plus voters will likely create a list that goes well beyond tasting menus. The goal is to recognize the wide range of top-tier food and service this continent has. 'There is no criteria in terms of style of a restaurant that we are looking for,' Drew says. 'It's not designed to be a list of fine dining restaurants. Great restaurants can be of any style or sort. I can't predict what it's going to comprise, what the geographical diversity is going to be. But I'm really optimistic that it's going to be at all sorts of different styles of restaurants. That's kind of the beauty of what we try to create.' Atomix and Singlethread collaborated on a wagyu and rice dish at Wynn Las Vegas during the week of ... More World's 50 Best Restaurants in June 2024. Last June's World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony took place at Wynn Las Vegas. This year's announcement of World's 50 Best Restaurants will be in Turin, Italy, on June 19. The hope for 50 Best is that North America's 50 Best Restaurants also becomes an annual roving event. 'The plan would definitely be to move it around and not just host it in the U.S. but also host it in Canada and maybe one day in the Caribbean,' Drew says. 'Whether that it's in year two or year three or beyond has yet to be decided.' Las Vegas is a logical first step. 'Where better to hold our first North America party than in Las Vegas, where people from all over go to celebrate?' Drew says. 'Having worked in Vegas before, we knew what it had to offer. … Wynn is a good partner because they understand what we want to do. They're a premium resort and have strong food-and-beverage offerings and are committed to showcasing the diversity of dining across North America.' In addition to the official North America's 50 Best Restaurants programming, Wynn Las Vegas is bringing back its Revelry food festival as part of the week's celebrations. Revelry, which debuted during World's 50 Best Restaurants week last year, features a walk-around tasting extravaganza known as The Feast along with prominent guest-chef dinners, master classes and mixology pop-ups. 'We look forward to welcoming and celebrating North America's most renowned chefs," says Brian Gullbrants, COO of Wynn Resorts North America. "From the tremendous talent that will join us for North America's 50 Best Restaurants to the return of our annual food festival, Revelry, Wynn Las Vegas will play host to one of the most exciting culinary weeks of the year.'
