Californian professional poker player Damien LeForbes (pictured) this week filed a guilty plea in federal court on illegal sports betting and money laundering charges.
LeForbes was a known high-stakes gambler at Resorts World and other Las Vegas casinos, as well as being an associate of fellow illegal bookmaker Matt Bowyer. Earlier this month, Bowyer filed his own guilty plea on similar charges.
LeForbes admitted setting up an illegal sportsbook in California between 2021 and 2023. He took bets in his home state and while in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bets he took totaled millions of dollars a year.
The former pro poker player could face up to 15 years in prison, plus a fine of $500,000, or twice the financial gain made from his illicit operation, whichever is greater.
The Charges
LeForbes prosecution is part of a wide-ranging investigation into several illegal California bookmakers and links to Las Vegas.
That has led to the firing and a criminal conviction for former Resorts World President Scott Sibella, and a money laundering investigation into the casino.
Court documents from the prosecution heavily featured an unnamed Las Vegas casino, referred to as “Casino A”.
However, various media investigators have previously revealed LeForbes extensive gambling history at Resorts World Las Vegas, which is already under investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board over connected money laundering allegations.
Court documents said LeForbes paid through at least $11 million at Casino A, including $2.8 million in cash. Two casino hosts were also accused of referring potential bettors to LeForbes’ illegal betting operation.
The Investigation
The massive federal probe into California bookmakers and Las Vegas casinos began in 2023, starting with the arrest of former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix.
That investigation looked into goings on at Resorts World, where Nix was a known customer.
The authorities kicked their activities into a higher gear when the public news broke of the theft of $17 million from Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani. His former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole the money to fund his high- stakes sports betting habit, and Bowyer was his preferred bookmaker.
Nix, Mizuhara, Bowyer, former Resorts World President Sibella, and now LeForbes have all filed guilty pleas in federal courts based on charges from the investigation.
Resorts World remains under scrutiny, as does Bowyer’s wife, Nicole Bowyer, a former agent at Resorts World, and Sibella, who may face further charges from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Reports emerged this week that the investigation into Resorts World could sink the company’s planned application to build a giant multibillion dollar casino resort in downstate New York.
Ohtani didn’t seem to let the controversy or theft affect him too much, however, as he looks likely to win Major League Baseball’s MVP award this year.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
