When the going gets tough, the tough go to Florence, perhaps even Istanbul. That’s true in the case of illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, at least.

Bowyer’s illegal gambling and money laundering enterprise generated millions, put Resorts World Las Vegas in a regulatory jackpot, and is best known for its connection to the former interpreter for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. The California-based bookie on Aug. 1 agreed to plead guilty to operating an unlicensed illegal bookmaking business, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. He also agreed to “cooperate fully” with the federal investigation being brought by the IRS, U.S. Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He hasn’t been sentenced yet, but Bowyer is already receiving a little time off for his good behavior after being approved to take a family vacation to Italy and Turkey. It’s understandable that he would be feeling a little stressed. He managed to blow up an eight-figure bookmaking operation and drag his wife into the middle of a federal investigation.

For the record, the trip abroad for a guy who in theory faces years in prison was approved by everyone from his travel agent to the presiding judge. Of course, almost no one really believes Bowyer will do a lot of jail time now that he’s changed uniforms. The prosecution and judge have done nothing illegal, but it looks more than a little awkward after all the effort they’ve made to have the press and public take the Bowyer affair seriously.

Who knows, maybe he’ll return home with some souvenirs for his new friends.

What’s more intriguing is the message this sabbatical sends in a widening investigation that has made big headlines and bigger headaches for Resorts World Las Vegas. Does this mean the investigation is winding down, or just out of the office and please leave a message?

If you think the investigation was bad for the Bowyer family, the fallout from the investigation and the related 12-count complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board are even worse news for Resorts World. Not just for the sparkling Strip resort, but for the parent company, Genting Group. The company has a large and expanding casino resort footprint, and the gaming complaint might put other potential ventures in jeopardy.

It will be faced with defending against allegations that its management allowed illegal bookmakers and gamblers with organized crime associations and felony convictions to play at the Strip casino. Permitting “a culture that welcomed” people with illegal gambling is a good way to put your gaming license in jeopardy in Nevada and elsewhere.

In a statement provided to the press at the time, a spokesperson said, “We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines. We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members.”

As the Bowyer investigation reached a tipping point, he gambled and lost millions at Resorts World, where friendly management allowed his wife, Nicole, to serve as his personal “independent” marketing representative. It’s no stretch to surmise that he knew trouble was coming. Just about everyone did.

Personally, I hope his vacation will help jog Bowyer’s memory. Perhaps he’ll let the interested public know officially how a bankrupted gambler managed to reinvent himself as a multimillion-dollar bookie. Finding big customers takes time and connections. As sources have suggested, did someone like the convicted felon and former USC football player Owen Hanson hand off his lucrative list to Bowyer?

Hanson marched off to prison and served nine years on an illegal gambling and drug trafficking conviction. He’s free now and is publishing a book about his years of notoriety, which included major narcotic deals, cartel connections and threats of violence to those who crossed him.

Then there’s the second handoff at issue. If Bowyer is truly out of the game and not in contact with clients or some of his felonious friends, to whom did he trust with his customers going forward? Sports betting clients don’t just go away; they find a new bookie and keep playing.

While working on his conversational Italian and admiring Michelangelo’s David, maybe Bowyer will also remember some of the other people to whom he owes money. One of those, I’m told, is noted poker player and fellow illegal bookie Damien LeForbes, who in September entered a plea agreement admitting illegal gambling and transactional money laundering charges.

The federal investigation is ongoing, and the control board complaint threatens the future of a major licensee. It all continues to send a jolt through the jaded Strip. With players falling and casino executives departing, it makes me wonder just how far the investigation will go.

Perhaps we’ll learn more when the bookie gets back from vacation.

John L. Smith is an author and longtime columnist. He was born in Henderson and his family’s Nevada roots go back to 1881. His stories have appeared in New Lines, Time, Readers Digest, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, Reuters and Desert Companion, among others.