Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island
The foundations: regulations, key terms, SAR filing, and OFAC.
Registration
Opening Comments & Introductions
The AML regulatory environment continues to evolve as governments and regulators respond to emerging financial crime risks, new technologies and changing enforcement priorities. This session examines significant developments affecting casino AML programs in the United States while placing them within the broader global AML landscape. Attendees will explore what these developments may mean for casino compliance programs, risk management and future regulatory expectations.
This introductory session traces how anti-money laundering efforts developed and why casinos became part of the broader financial crime framework. Attendees will learn the core language of AML, including commonly used acronyms, terms and definitions, and how those concepts appear in casino operations. The session establishes a shared foundation for the more detailed reporting, investigation and risk sessions that follow.
Christopher GuerraHead of Risk & Compliance, SightlineEffective suspicious activity reporting begins long before a SAR is filed. This session examines how casino professionals identify unusual activity, investigate red flags and determine whether activity warrants reporting. Attendees will explore how to develop clear SAR narratives that communicate the who, what, when, where, why and how of suspicious activity.
Lunch
What happens after a casino submits a SAR? This session provides a law-enforcement perspective on how SAR information may be reviewed, analyzed and connected with other investigative information. Attendees will learn which information can make a SAR particularly useful and how casino observations can contribute to investigations beyond the casino floor.
OFAC compliance presents unique challenges in a casino environment involving high transaction volumes, international customers and multiple points of customer interaction. This session examines sanctions-related responsibilities and practical considerations for integrating OFAC controls into casino operations. Attendees will explore screening, escalation and response considerations through a casino-specific lens.
Christopher GuerraHead of Risk & Compliance, SightlineAttendees will work through realistic casino scenarios and apply the concepts presented throughout Day One. Participants will identify red flags, determine what additional information should be gathered and decide whether the circumstances warrant suspicious activity reporting. Groups will consider what information belongs in the SAR and evaluate the case from casino and law-enforcement perspectives.
ParallelPre-conference registration
FAQs / Day One Q&A
FinCEN rules, audits, IRS exams, AI, and risk assessment — then the evening reception.
Breakfast / Registration / Vendor Meet-Ups
Opening Comments
This session takes a closer look at the U.S. AML regulatory landscape, with a focus on FinCEN’s proposed rules and their potential implications for casinos, along with recently published FinCEN guidance. Attendees will examine the direction of proposed changes and how they could affect risk assessments, AML program design and day-to-day compliance work. The discussion will distinguish current obligations from proposals so attendees can identify what to monitor and where to prepare.
Having AML policies and procedures is not the same as having an effective AML program. This session examines how internal and external audit techniques can evaluate whether controls work in practice. Attendees will explore testing strategies, common weaknesses and ways audit findings can strengthen policies, procedures and risk management.
What is it actually like to experience an AML examination from the casino operator’s side? This panel discusses preparing for and navigating an examination, including information requests, documentation, interviews and internal coordination. Panelists will share lessons and practices that can help organizations remain examination-ready.
Lunch
Casino AML teams have access to enormous amounts of data, but more data does not automatically produce better intelligence. This panel explores how technology, analytics and artificial intelligence can help professionals connect information, identify patterns, prioritize alerts and investigate risk. Panelists will address limitations of technology and where human judgment remains essential.
A meaningful AML risk assessment should guide where an organization directs resources and attention. This session examines how customer, product, transaction, geographic and operational risks can be evaluated within a complex gaming environment. Attendees will consider how assessments remain useful as casino operations and threats evolve.
Attendees will apply Day Two concepts to a hypothetical casino environment containing competing AML risks, limited resources and imperfect information. Groups will identify significant risks, determine immediate priorities and decide where resources should be allocated. Participants will compare approaches and discuss how different casino environments can reasonably produce different priorities.
FAQs / Day Two Q&A
Nevada’s new requirements, compliance culture, KYC, and making the business case.
Casino AML Roundtable: Frequently Asked Questions
This session examines recent Nevada gaming compliance developments and what they may signal for casino AML programs. Attendees will review relevant requirements and expectations and consider operational implications for compliance personnel, casino management and other stakeholders. The discussion will consider lessons organizations outside Nevada may take from Nevada’s evolving approach.
An effective AML program depends on more than the compliance department. Player Development, Slots, Table Games, Cage, Security and other teams see different pieces of customer behavior that become meaningful together. This session explores how casinos can build a culture in which employees understand their AML responsibilities and know when and how to escalate concerns.
AML programs are evaluated by stakeholders with different responsibilities, priorities and perspectives. This panel brings together audit, regulatory, tribal gaming and legal viewpoints to explore how each evaluates AML risk, controls and effectiveness. Understanding these perspectives can help compliance professionals anticipate concerns and build defensible programs.
Lunch
Madison HarrisRSMUnderstanding who a customer is and whether their activity makes sense is central to effective casino AML. This session examines practical approaches to source-of-funds inquiries and real-time customer investigation using information available inside and outside the casino. Attendees will learn how separate pieces of information can be combined into a more complete understanding of customer activity.
Madison HarrisRSMAttendees will receive a fictional casino customer profile and investigate as additional information is progressively revealed. Participants will analyze gaming activity, transactions, customer information and potential sources of funds to determine whether the activity makes sense. Teams will decide what additional information they need, when escalation is appropriate and how to document conclusions.
AML leaders often understand program needs but face the challenge of communicating them to executives competing for limited resources. This session explores how to translate AML risks, operational weaknesses and technology needs into a compelling business case. Panelists will discuss how to communicate priorities in terms senior leadership and boards can understand and act upon.
Questions & Conference Closing
Three Day All Access includes AML Essentials and AML for Casinos. The Two Day Package covers January 26–27.
Sean Topchi is a seasoned AML professional in the gaming industry. Sean has functioned in multiple compliance management roles, including being the AML technology & analytics manager for Caesars Entertainment & BSA Officer for Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. He has also consulted with dozens of casinos in the US and internationally.
With Kinectify, he continues to work with organizations both domestic and international implementing modern AML software and advising start-ups, new properties and existing organizations with their AML needs. Sean also serves as the Chair of the ACAMS Southern Nevada Chapter.
Teresa Martinez is an enrolled member of the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians and a tribal gaming leader with more than 20 years of experience in anti-money laundering, compliance, and risk management. As Director of Compliance and Risk at Jamul Casino Resort, she brings a perspective shaped by work on both the regulatory and casino operations sides of the industry.
Teresa began her career with the Pauma Tribal Gaming Commission in 2001 and later served as Compliance Director at Casino Pauma. She serves on the boards of the Native American Women’s Conference and Native Finance Development Corporation and has served as an ambassador for Women in Tribal Gaming. She is passionate about mentoring women, championing their growth, and helping open doors for the next generation of leaders. Teresa is pursuing a Master of Legal Studies at the University of Arizona with an emphasis in Indian law.
Teresa is excited to introduce attendees to AML fundamentals, work through real-world scenarios in a hands-on workshop, and join her colleagues to discuss how every department contributes to a strong compliance culture. She looks forward to sharing ideas attendees can use, learning from others, and meeting new people across the industry.
Outside of work, Teresa enjoys traveling, Sunday brunch, a good book, and time with family and friends.
Supervisor Michael Noworyta joined the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s Enforcement Division in 2012 after beginning his law enforcement career in Indiana in 2005. As a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), he has led numerous investigations involving cheating at gambling, fraud, theft, and counterfeiting.
He currently supervises the NGCB’s Intelligence and Analyst Section, overseeing intelligence collection, SAR reviews, special projects, and information dissemination. He also serves as the Enforcement Division Staff Officer and Training Officer.
Supervisor Noworyta works closely with internal divisions and external partners to identify emerging criminal and regulatory issues in the gaming sector and regularly speaks at conferences on trends affecting AML and financial crime risk within Nevada’s gaming industry.
Melissa is the Executive Director of Title 31 Compliance at MGM Resorts where she is responsible for the Currency Transaction Reports for 16 properties. In her role, she utilizes data analytics to capture all activity within the casino and to efficiently detect suspicious activity. Additionally, she specializes in race and sports and has assisted in the addition of multiple sportsbooks, both online and retail, in 5 jurisdictions.
Prior to working in compliance, Melissa worked in Internal Audit in which she led a team of auditors specializing in all areas of AML Compliance. Her prior experience and background as an auditor has given her the ability to approach compliance from a fresh lens, allowing her to innovate the program as new trends emerge. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS and an MS in Accounting, and also holds a CPA.
In her spare time you might catch her at her CrossFit gym, experimenting with new baking recipes, or rooting on all of the Las Vegas sports teams.
Technology entrepreneur and founder of Casino Essentials and ICGIP, both software companies sold in 2018. Founded Skiild in 2023 to bring like-minded industry professionals together through education.
Kian Moshirzadeh is the Managing Partner for Turner, Warren, Hwang & Conrad (TWHC). He has been with TWHC for over 30 years, specializing in auditing credit unions, and has designed many tests and operational systems to address security and efficiency issues. He has supervised hundreds of audits for credit unions of all sizes.
Joe has over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry having worked in both commercial and Tribal gaming in multiple jurisdictions domestically and internationally. His experience includes internal and external audit, anti-money laundering, enterprise-wide risk assessments and casino finance operations. He also has a background in surveillance, law enforcement and public accounting.
His role as Executive Director of Casino Finance includes overseeing the Cage, Credit, Drop, Count, Revenue Audit, Accounting, Payroll, Accounts Payable and Compliance Departments.
Eric Akiyama is the Vice President – BSA/AML Officer at Wynn Resorts and oversees the AML compliance departments at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Boston Harbor.
Prior to joining Wynn Resorts, Eric held the role of Director of AML Compliance at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where he was the designated BSA Officer. In this capacity, he led the implementation of a risk-based AML program, chaired the BSA Compliance Committee, and drove policy evolution through data-driven insights and customer trend analysis.
Eric started his career at MGM Resorts International in Internal Audit before becoming the Director of Title 31 Compliance.
Kim Barley (Bonney) is a Director with RSM US LLP’s National Gaming & Hospitality Practice and has nearly two decades of experience advising casinos across the United States and Caribbean on AML/CFT compliance, gaming compliance, risk management, and internal audit matters.
Her passion and specialty is AML/CFT, including Training, Risk Assessments, Independent Testing, drafting AML Compliance Programs and Policies & Procedures. She also supports clients in the design and deployment of RSM’s Casino Anti-Money Laundering (CAML) platform, including data analytics, case management, risk assessment, and audit management solutions that help streamline compliance and reduce the time required to perform AML procedures.
Before joining RSM in 2019, Kim worked for 10 years in the internal audit department of a large integrated resort casino company in Las Vegas. She developed and led the AML audit team and performed gaming compliance and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) audits both in the US and Macau. Kim is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
