Resorts World Las Vegas president Scott Sibella sacked
The Genting Group-owned casino added that senior vice-president and chief financial officer Peter LaVoie will take over as president following Sibella’s departure.
“Peter’s extensive experience and expertise make him the right person to lead Resorts World Las Vegas through this transition,” the spokesperson said.
Sibella had acted as president of the Las Vegas Strip casino since May 2019. Resorts World Las Vegas appointed him to replace outgoing executive Edward Farrell.
The long-time casino executive helped lead the business through its continued construction to its opening in June 2021, as outlined by Casino Nieuws. Before joining Resorts World, Sibella held senior positions at the Golden Nugget, Mirage, MGM Grand, Treasure Island and Tropicana.
Federal investigation into illegal gambling ring
Resorts World did not provide any details on the exact conduct that led it to firing Sibella.
However, there has been speculation that the executive’s exit is connected to the ongoing federal investigation into an illegal gambling ring that catered to professional sports players.
Former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix led the ring with his long-term partner Edon Yoshida Kagasoff.
In April 2022, Nix pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Prosecutors have scheduled his sentencing hearing for 6 March 2024.
Last month, non-profit news organisation Nevada Current reported the federal investigation into the ring had expanded in scope.
According to anonymous sources, federal investigators subpoenaed employees at Resorts World and fellow strip casino MGM Grand Las Vegas in connection to the investigation.
Investigators are trying to establish whether employees at the Las Vegas casinos acted as agents for Nix’s betting network by recruiting gamblers and taking a cut of their losses. Agents are also investigating whether they used casino resources to pay gambling debts to Nix.
The probe is being led by agents with Homeland Securities Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigations.