Nevada Gaming Control Board Moves to Permanently Ban Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn and Las Vegas were once synonymous with one another, but that was then. Multiple complaints against former casino mogul became too hard to ignore. From sexual misconduct to claims of outright sexual assault, he already stepped down from Wynn Resorts as CEO. He later sold all of his holdings in the company but never accepted blame for his behavior.
Wynn currently resides in a $43 million Palm Beach oceanfront mansion in Florida. Any remaining association with Nevada gaming may be coming to an end. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed a five-count complaint against Wynn earlier the month. The purpose was to permanently ban the billionaire’s ability to work in the state’s gaming industry.
The three-member NGCB stated that Wynn’s reaction to the claims against him was part of their decision. These actions joined claims he violated state licensing suitability regulations. Wynn still maintains that he did not act inappropriately despite overwhelming evidence to contrary.
Quoted in the NGCB was the statement:
“The Gaming Commission should revoke Mr. Wynn’s Finding of Suitability. Mr. Wynn has repeatedly violated Nevada’s gaming statutes and regulations. Bringing discredit upon the Sate of Nevada and its gaming industry.”
In a more damning statement, the NGCB complaint added:
“He is unsuitable to be associated with a gaming enterprise or the gaming industry as a whole.” Wynn Resorts was fined a record $20 million by the Nevada Gaming Commission in February. Yet, the company did retain licensure. The casino operator was also levied a $35 million fine in Massachusetts. That fine did not impact its $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor project.
The gaming board justified its stance to revoke Wynn’s suitability with five specific alleged wrongdoings:
- Count One requires a person to be of “good character”.
- Second Count requires a person’s prior activities, reputation and habits to not pose a threat to the public interest of Nevada.
- Count Three was a specific $7.5 million payment to a women he allegedly sexually assaulted
- Fourth Count covered Mr. Wynn’s attempt to cover up a $975,00 payment to a Wynn Resort’s employee
- Count Five was Mr. Wynn’s failure to respond to a NGCB hearing request. This covered the grounds for revocation or suspension of Findings of Suitability.
Also added in the complaint is the statement:
“The Gaming Control Board’s investigation found evidence of multiple instances of sexual conduct by Mr. Wynn involving subordinate employees. By engaging in this conduct, whether consensual or not, Mr. Wynn disregarded Wynn Company’s policies and procedures.”
The Board’s complaint went on to add:
“Mr. Wynn serially disregarded his company’s policies and procedures. By doing so, Mr. Wynn exposed Wynn Company to potential legal liability and put the reputation of the gaming industry and the State of Nevada at risk.”
The Nevada Gaming Commission as a whole will give Wynn 15 days to respond to this complaint. If the commission agrees with the NGCB’s complaint, it should officially end Steve Wynn’s career in Las Vegas and the Nevada casino industry.
