Resorts World Las Vegas Bolsters Legal Team with Gaming Law Experts Following $10.5 Million Regulatory Fine
On September 9, 2025, Resorts World Las Vegas announced the appointment of two seasoned gaming law veterans to its senior legal team, signaling a strategic overhaul aimed at enhancing compliance and regulatory oversight in the wake of a landmark $10.5 million fine from Nevada gaming authorities. The hires—Lou Dorn as chief legal officer and corporate secretary, and Elizabeth Tranchina as general counsel—come six months after the Nevada Gaming Commission imposed the second-largest penalty in state history on the $4.3 billion Strip resort for anti-money-laundering (AML) violations, underscoring the property’s commitment to rebuilding trust and avoiding future scrutiny.
The Regulatory Backdrop: AML Violations and the Record Fine
The fines stemmed from a Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) complaint filed in August 2024, alleging that Resorts World operated for nearly two years (2022–2024) with a “culture that welcomed” individuals tied to illegal bookmaking and prior felony convictions, in violation of federal AML laws under the Bank Secrecy Act. Key issues included:
- Allowing high-profile illegal bookmaker Wayne Bowyer to gamble at least 80 times, resulting in $6.6 million in losses for him and direct profits for the casino via his wife Nicole Bowyer’s role as a registered independent agent.
- Permitting pro poker player Damien LeForbes, who ran an illegal gambling ring chronicled in the film Molly’s Game, to wager $148 million at the property.
- Failing to file suspicious activity reports (SARs) on known criminals, including those with ties to money laundering and racketeering, despite red flags like large cash transactions and felony histories.
The NGCB’s 10-count complaint (amended from 12) highlighted “negligent disregard or willful ignorance” for financial gain, leading to a stipulated $10.5 million settlement approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission on March 27, 2025—the largest AML fine since Wynn Resorts’ $20 million penalty in 2019. As part of the deal, Resorts World agreed to enhanced measures: regular AML reports, five-year retention of training records, mandatory seminars for customer-facing staff at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the hiring of additional compliance personnel. The scandal also prompted leadership shakeups, including the December 2024 appointment of gaming veteran Alex Dixon as CEO and the formation of a board featuring former MGM CEO Jim Murren and ex-Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.
The fallout extended beyond the fine: Resorts World reported an 18% year-over-year revenue drop to $180 million in Q2 2025, partly attributed to reputational damage amid a broader Las Vegas tourism slowdown. Layoffs of nearly 50 employees in March 2025 further highlighted operational strains.
New Hires: Bringing Expertise to Drive Compliance and Growth
In response, Resorts World has prioritized regulatory fortification by recruiting Dorn and Tranchina, both with deep roots in gaming law:
- Lou Dorn, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary: Dorn joins from a role as senior vice president of legal affairs at Boyd Gaming, where he managed regulatory compliance for multiple properties. With over 25 years in the industry, including stints at the NGCB and as counsel for Caesars Entertainment, Dorn specializes in gaming licensing, mergers, and AML enforcement. Resorts World Chairman Jim Murren praised his “deep knowledge of gaming law and regulatory matters,” noting it will be “essential for the property’s future growth and compliance.”
- Elizabeth Tranchina, General Counsel: Tranchina’s 20+ years of experience include starting as an Assistant Attorney General in Louisiana’s Gaming Division, followed by senior roles at the Rio casino-hotel and as general counsel for Investar Bank, overseeing compliance across 20 branches. Her expertise spans gaming regulation, financial services, and risk management. President and CFO Carlos Castro highlighted her “pragmatic approach to legal complexities,” emphasizing her value in bridging gaming and financial sectors.
The duo will oversee legal, regulatory, governance, and risk functions, reporting directly to CEO Dixon. This follows the April 2025 hire of Jennifer Roberts as the resort’s first chief compliance officer, a WynnBET alum tasked with AML, licensing, and responsible gaming oversight. Together, these additions form a “dream team” of experts, as described by regulators during the fine hearing, aimed at fostering a “world-class compliance program.”
Implications for Resorts World and the Gaming Industry
The hires reflect a broader industry trend toward proactive compliance amid intensified NGCB scrutiny—Wynn and MGM faced similar multimillion-dollar AML fines in 2025. For Resorts World, opened in June 2021 as Las Vegas’s most expensive casino, the moves are crucial for recovery: Q2 revenue improved 8% from Q1 but remains below pre-fine levels, exacerbated by tourism declines and offshore gambling competition estimated at $400 billion annually.
Gaming Commissioner Brian Krolicki called the settlement a “clarion call” for Strip operators, praising Resorts World’s pivot under new leadership. Analysts expect these changes to stabilize operations, potentially boosting investor confidence in parent Genting Berhad. As Las Vegas evolves into a sports and entertainment hub, enhanced regulatory adherence could position Resorts World to attract high-value patrons while mitigating risks from illegal activities.
The appointments have been positively received, with industry observers on platforms like LinkedIn noting the hires’ potential to “rebuild credibility from the inside out.” No further regulatory actions are pending, but Resorts World must submit ongoing AML reports to maintain its gaming license.