This month, Nevada regulators will decide on the licensing of a top executive from Resorts World Las Vegas, amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the property's past compliance issues and discussions about the future of the north Strip.
Carlos Castro, who serves as president, secretary, and treasurer at Resorts World, has received a recommendation for licensing from the Nevada Gaming Control Board after a two-day hearing. The Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to address this matter on March 26.
The hearing comes in the wake of a significant enforcement action in 2025, when Resorts World was fined $10.5 million for allowing illegal gambling activities at the casino, marking the second-largest fine imposed by Nevada regulators.
Investigations linked these violations to individuals such as Wayne Nix, a former Minor League baseball player turned illegal bookmaker, who is now on Nevada’s List of Excluded Persons, and Mathew Bowyer, who was recently released from prison and is also nominated for inclusion on the same list. Both individuals were connected to money laundering activities involving three casinos in Las Vegas, including Resorts World.
During the hearing, Castro highlighted the internal reforms implemented to enhance oversight of customer activities. He mentioned that the casino has improved its “know your customer” protocols and expanded the enforcement powers within its compliance division. Chief Compliance Officer Jennifer Roberts and her team now have the authority to restrict access to the casino or the property.
“They can either be placed on a gaming ban, or in cases of severe due diligence failures, a full property ban can be enacted,” Castro explained to the regulators, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Jennifer and her compliance team have complete autonomy in making these decisions, which has been crucial to the board, and we have firmly established this process.”
While compliance issues were a focal point of the proceedings, regulators also discussed the potential long-term development of the undeveloped land surrounding the resort. Board member George Assad suggested the idea of utilizing the site for a sports and entertainment venue, potentially linked to an NBA expansion.
“Having an NBA team here would be incredible for the north end of the Strip and for Las Vegas as a whole,” Assad stated during the hearing. “This venue could also host concerts and various events,” he added.
He also mentioned a recent meeting between businessman Magic Johnson and Governor Joe Lombardo, expressing interest in establishing an ownership structure to facilitate bringing an NBA team to Las Vegas. “I hope Mr. Silver is paying attention, and we will definitely support an NBA team,” he remarked.
Castro did not provide comments on this proposal during the session. However, it aligns with broader initiatives by several groups in Southern Nevada to develop infrastructure in anticipation of a future franchise.
Oak View Group has previously considered multiple sites for an NBA-ready arena, including locations along Las Vegas Boulevard and near the Rio. Additionally, LVXP, a local real estate group, has proposed a mixed-use development between the Sahara and Fontainebleau that would feature a 752-foot hotel and condominium tower, a 2,605-unit residential complex, an 18,000-seat arena, and a 6,000-seat theater.