Nevada Adds Mathew Bowyer to Black Book, Rejects Citro Removal Bid
LAS VEGAS – Nevada regulators have added an illegal bookmaker to the state’s Black Book while rejecting an attempt by a long-listed figure with alleged mob ties to be removed.
The Nevada Gaming Commission voted unanimously on both decisions, reinforcing its stance on protecting the integrity and reputation of the state’s casino industry.
The commission placed California-based bookmaker Mathew Bowyer on the List of Excluded Persons, following earlier proceedings that led to his nomination to Nevada’s Black Book, citing years of illegal activity tied to gambling and money laundering. At the same hearing, members denied a request from Francis “Frankie” Citro Jr. to be considered for removal from the list, where he has remained since 1991.
Bookmaker Added After Years of Illegal Activity
Regulators said Bowyer ran an extensive illegal betting operation between 2014 and 2023, taking tens of millions of dollars in wagers from hundreds of bettors. Investigators also found he used proceeds from that business inside Las Vegas casinos and sought to expand his network by recruiting customers through casino employees.
The case has been linked to wider enforcement action across the Strip. Investigations into money laundering connected to illegal bookmakers, including Bowyer, resulted in more than $30 million in fines against major casino operators and executives.
Commission members were sharply critical of Bowyer’s conduct and his public comments suggesting he could profit from his notoriety. “Mr. Bowyer has for several years been a blight on the regulatory structure in Nevada”, Commissioner Brian Krolicki said, calling the decision “critical closure on this chapter of compliance failure.”
Officials noted Bowyer, who was recently released from prison and is currently under home confinement, did not attend the hearing or contest the decision. He now faces a permanent ban from Nevada casinos.
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Citro Remains on List After Decades
In a separate decision, the commission rejected Citro’s request for a hearing after his latest attempt to overturn a decades-long exclusion from Nevada casinos. This could have led to his removal from the Black Book. His attorney argued that more than three decades had passed since his original listing and that he no longer posed a risk to the industry.
Commissioners disagreed, pointing to Citro’s criminal history and longstanding reputation tied to organised crime. Members said the issue was not simply the passage of time, but whether removing him would undermine confidence in Nevada’s regulatory system.
Commissioner Abbi Silver described Citro as a habitual offender with a record that went beyond the more recent cases involving illegal bookmakers. She also noted that while he remains barred from major casinos, he is still permitted to visit smaller venues without table games.
Other commissioners stressed the symbolic importance of the decision. “We still get asked if the mob is still here,” Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey said, warning that removing Citro could send the wrong message about the state’s commitment to maintaining a clean gaming industry.
Focus on Integrity and Oversight
The Nevada Gaming Commission’s dual decisions highlight the state's continued emphasis on strict enforcement within its gaming sector, particularly as regulators face modern challenges linked to illegal betting operations and financial compliance.
The Black Book, first introduced to keep organised crime figures out of casinos, remains one of the state’s most visible tools for protecting the industry’s reputation. By adding new names while maintaining long-standing exclusions, regulators signalled they intend to apply that standard consistently across both historical and emerging threats.
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