Damien LeForbes May Not Go to Jail in Resorts World Gambling Case

Professional poker player Damien LeForbes could avoid jail and get probation after pleading guilty to running an illegal gambling business and money laundering. His defense attorneys and federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of home confinement and mandatory counseling, but a judge has postponed the decision until December. LeForbes Seeks Probation After $148M in Casino Wagers US District Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani moved LeForbes’ sentencing date to December 10. At a hearing in Santa Ana, California, on October 15, she asked for more information about his role in the illegal betting operation and the circumstances that would accompany a possible probation sentence. Parties have to file additional legal arguments by November 5, and the assigned pretrial and probation officer has to submit recommendations on possible sentencing conditions by November 19. LeForbes pled guilty in August 2024 to operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering. Court documents show he placed bets totaling some $148 million at a Las Vegas casino from 2022 to 2023, and Nevada gaming regulators documented losses of more than $10 million at Resorts World Las Vegas. Under the joint sentencing recommendation, LeForbes would receive probation, including four months of home confinement. The proposed conditions also include weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings, continued individual therapy, complete abstinence from gambling, and 50 hours of community service in his first year. Defense lawyers and prosecutors say the sentence would be disproportionate to his behavior. They cite his cooperation with authorities, his participation in counseling, and his history of earning a living through legitimate employment. LeForbes Gambling Case Draws Comparisons With Mathew Bowyer The defense also pointed to the case of illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who was sentenced to 12 months and one day in August 2025. Bowyer’s operation is reported to have handled hundreds of millions of dollars in bets and had over 700 customers. LeForbes’ operation was considered to be smaller, but the public has not been privy to the whole extent of this. Forbes’ gambling also raised questions about Resorts World’s anti-money laundering procedures. A complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board alleged that a casino host knew about his illegal bookmaking but continued to give him perks and promotional chips. The host was also accused of pointing a potential customer to LeForbes’ betting operation. Resorts World prohibited LeForbes in March 2024. In March 2025, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved a $10.5 million settlement with the casino and its affiliated companies for anti-money laundering deficiencies involving LeForbes and Bowyer. The operator has admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement. Forbes has experienced multiple delays in sentencing since early 2025. Now, Judge Almadani must consider the additional submissions to determine if the proposed noncustodial sentence is appropriate. LeForbes’ hearing in December will decide whether he will walk free or face another punishment for his federal crimes.