Damien Leforbes will not be sentenced until 10 December after a US federal judge delayed his hearing and asked prosecutors and his defence team for more information before deciding whether to impose probation.
At a hearing on 15 October, US District Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani moved the sentencing date by nearly two months. Leforbes, a professional poker player and former UNLV baseball player, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to money laundering and operating an illegal gambling business.
Under an agreement with the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, prosecutors recommend probation, with the first four months served in home confinement. Almadani has asked the parties to provide further terms before she considers that sentence.
Resorts World gambling losses
A 2025 Nevada regulatory complaint said Leforbes lost more than $10 million at Resorts World Las Vegas over 16 months through December 2023. It also alleged he wagered at least $148 million over 11 months, producing net losses of about $12 million. The complaint said he received promotional chips, comps and gifts from the casino, and that his casino host knew he was an illegal bookmaker and directed business to his operation.
Leforbes’ sentencing has been continued at least five times since January 2025. A presentencing memo filed in April cited the case of Matt Bowyer, another bookmaker named in the complaint. In a joint filing, Leforbes’ lawyers and assistant US Attorney Kerry Quinn said Bowyer’s sports betting operation ran at a significantly larger scale and handled more money. At its peak, Bowyer’s business had more than 700 clients and moved millions of dollars per week. The size of Leforbes’ operation has not been made public.
Bowyer pleaded guilty to charges connected with laundering millions at Resorts World Las Vegas. He was sentenced to about 12 months in prison in August 2025 and served roughly seven months at FCI Lompoc before moving to a halfway house in March for good behaviour.
Further court filings due in November
Almadani has ordered the parties to file briefing on Leforbes’ aggravated role adjustment. She also directed a US Pretrial & Probation Officer to report on conditions that could apply if she imposes probation. Both submissions are due before the end of November. On 1 October, the judge approved Leforbes’ request to remit more than $25,000 to the US Treasury for his 2025 federal income tax liability.
Resorts World Las Vegas agreed to a $10.5 million fine to settle charges over anti-money laundering deficiencies, without admitting wrongdoing. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved the settlement in March 2025. Since 2025, the commission has imposed about $34 million in penalties on four Strip casinos for anti-money laundering violations linked to Bowyer’s case, including a $7.2 million fine against The Venetian in August.
Richard Schonfeld, Leforbes’ lawyer, was appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission in April by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo. He recused himself from the commission’s vote on The Venetian settlement, citing his representation of an individual in a related case with overlap with that investigation.
