It’s been three months since our last update on the Caribi Bleu Casino investigation in San Pedro. Tonight, News Five revisits the story with fresh details. We’ve confirmed the Central Bank’s findings on the unauthorized ATM dispensing US currency inside the casino. Plus, new information has surfaced about the company’s golf cart operations. And why isn’t the casino listed among the FIU’s registered entities? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the latest.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
In late 2024, News Five published several investigative reports on the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
Leni Ysaguirre McGann, Director, F.I.U. (File: Dec 18th, 2024)
“The FIU to protect the integrity of these processes and to protect the investigation are under strict confidentiality obligations.”
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th, 2024)
“I am sure you will appreciate that I cant say much on that, because it is a live investigation.”
Our investigation started with allegations that the company received 200 golf cart permits on an already traffic-congested island. But it didn’t stop there. We uncovered an illegal ATM inside the establishment that dispensed U.S. currency. The Central Bank of Belize and the Financial Intelligence Unit are now on the case. News Five has confirmed that no charges or fines were levied against the casino’s proprietor Rima Ray. Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael told us that the legislation governing the use of ATMs does not allow for administrative penalties. He further explained that fines can only be imposed through a summary conviction. So, what happened? The owner received a simple slap on the wrist for operating an unauthorized ATM that dispenses US currency inside a Belizean casino.
Rima Ray quickly removed the ATM from the casino and promised not to run such operations again. The owner was also required to attend a meeting about national payment system regulations and guidelines. We obtained a document with an official Customs stamp stating that the machine would leave the country through the Belize/Mexico border on December seventh, heading to Chetumal for servicing and repairs. However, the letter raised many questions. It mentioned that the machine would return to Belize once the repairs were completed. Now, there are doubts about whether the machine actually left the country and if Customs had approved its initial importation.
New details have also emerged about the Caribi Bleu Limited’s fleet of golf carts. In November 2024, News Five visited the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department and met with Miguel Perez, the aide to Mayor Gualberto Nunez. We discovered twenty golf carts registered under Caribi Bleu Limited, parked openly in the casino’s parking lot. But you might recall the extra golf carts stored in a building next to the casino that mysteriously disappeared. News Five has obtained images to show that they were moved to a fenced property not too far away for safe keeping. Since then, Caribi Bleu Limited purchased a golf cart company, Time Out Golf Cart Rental. A Companies Registry document shows that the transaction was finalized on the sixth of January 2025. News 5 has been reliably informed that Caribi Bleu Limited has an additional eighteen permits under Time Out Golf Cart Rental.
What’s even more intriguing is that Caribi Bleu Casino also operates under the name GMK Sky Limited, as shown on this flier for a raffle of a brand new 2024 golf cart. GMK also appears on this wire transfer receipt. In August 2024, Rima Ray transferred fifty thousand dollars through TD Bank to Belize Management and Consulting with special instructions for the GMK Hotel Project. However, when we checked the list of registered casinos under the FIU, neither Caribi Bleu Casino nor GMK Sky were listed. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is finally speaking out about News Five’s investigation into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino. This investigation has already prompted responses from the Gaming Control Board, the Central Bank of Belize, the Prime Minister, and a representative of the casino. However, the FIU’s input is crucial, as they are legally tasked with overseeing casinos, which are often hotspots for money laundering. So, what does the FIU have to say about the unauthorized ATM dispensing U.S. currency inside Caribi Bleu Casino, and the source of those funds? News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
For over two months, News Five has been digging into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro Town. Our investigation uncovered an unauthorized ATM dispensing U.S. currency, prompting swift action from multiple law enforcement agencies. Tonight, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the supervisory authority for casinos in Belize, is weighing in on our findings. We spoke with FIU Director, Leni Ysaguirre McGann, to get their perspective.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
Leni Ysaguirre McGann, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit
“Speaking generally to investigative matters and enforcement matters, the FIU to protect theses processes and our investigations are under strict confidentiality obligations. This means that we conduct our work and investigations with the strictest of confidence.”
In other words, the FIU can’t share the specifics of its investigation or findings just yet. They’ll need to wait until charges are filed or the case goes to court, if it even gets that far. Prime Minister John Briceno is in favor of these actions.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Dec 9th, 2024)
“All we can do is encourage them to do their investigation and if there is any person that should be found guilty of any wrongdoing, they should be charged to the fullest extent. We need to find out from customs if that was even registered or if they paid to have that atm in Belize.”
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“There are principal law enforcement agencies sitting on the financial crimes working group, the police department, the department of immigration and border management, the customs department, the tax authority, and so it depends.”
It’s clear that operating an unauthorized ATM, particularly one dispensing U.S. currency, is illegal—especially within a casino. The Central Bank of Belize has confirmed that their investigation into this matter is still ongoing.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th 2024)
“I am sure you will appreciate that I can’t say much on that, because it is a live investigation.”
As the watchdog for casinos, the FIU ensures these establishments follow anti-money laundering rules through on-site inspections and other methods. McGann noted that while the FIU has previously uncovered violations of the Exchange Control Act by various entities, this case stands out because it involves an ATM.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“You would of course appreciate that we have to look at the resources we have and how to apply them. So, we take risks into consideration. There are certain risk factors such as size, maybe geographic location and our circumstances must be able to respond to an event, or changes in risk circumstances.”
Paul Lopez
“Is that to say a compliance visit was never done at this establishment because the risks were not there or there were not any justified risk to do that?”
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“I did not say that. In fact that would be asking me to delve into the specific case at hand which I am limited from doing. That is to say that adverse information or any discovery does change the risk circumstances.”
Interestingly, casinos are required to have an anti-money laundering compliance officer approved by the FIU, as per the Money Laundering and Terrorism Prevention Act. So, how did Caribi Bleu Casino’s compliance officer miss or fail to report this unauthorized ATM? Once again, McGann couldn’t delve into the specifics of the case.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“They are not hired nor are they employees of the FIU. In terms of reporting, they are required to respond to request from the FIU for information, or their supervisory authority and they also have an obligation report suspicious transaction report as well as ensure that other aspects of the compliance regime are in place.”
Our investigation also revealed that the name Caribi Bleu Casino is not registered on FIU’s website. So, is this a simple oversight, or is the casino operating under a different name than the one it’s registered with?
Paul Lopez
“Could it be a case where businesses trade under a different name than it is registered?”
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“So what I will say that in terms of the names published on our website, that is a list of the names currently registered with us. So, if they are not on the website it would be a fact that the registration process is not complete and they have not been finally registered or published on the website are registered.”
One of the major questions in this investigation is: where is the U.S. currency loaded into the ATM coming from? The FIU highlights its strong track record of international cooperation and emphasizes that investigating money laundering falls squarely within its mandate.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
“We can’t speak to any specifics, however it is obviously within the FIU’s mandate to investigate money laundering as well as financial crimes, as well as in line with that we do have a roll to play in terms of the supervision for anti-money laundering obligations in casinos. So, running from those two mandates of the FIU, naturally we are very concerned in terms of the operation of casinos in Belize.”
Prime Minister John Briceño has stated that if Caribi Bleu Casino is found guilty of any wrongdoing, they must be held accountable. The Central Bank has already confirmed that ATMs, especially those dispensing U.S. currency, should not be operated inside a casino. So, what penalties will Caribi Bleu Casino face for running an unauthorized ATM in its San Pedro facility? And there are even bigger questions: where did the U.S. currency loaded into the machine come from, and how did they manage to import and configure an ATM that dispenses U.S. dollars? The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is the supervisory authority for casinos in Belize, but they haven’t been forthcoming about the steps they’ve taken to address these issues. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
For the past eight weeks, News Five has been digging into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino. Our investigation kicked off with reports that the casino had received dozens of golf cart permits earlier this year, adding to the already heavy traffic on Ambergris Caye. The San Pedro Town Council’s traffic department gave us access to their Traffic Master Log, where we discovered that only twenty golf carts are officially registered under Caribi Bleu Limited. What raised eyebrows was that during one of our initial visits to the island, we counted more than a dozen golf carts at the casino’s parking lot. On that same day, we obtained a video showing several golf carts hidden inside a neighboring building. However, when we visited the casino at the request of a Caribi Bleu representative, we were shown an empty building. The representative insisted that golf carts were never stored there.
But where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. Our investigation led News Five to uncover a video of a covert operation inside Caribi Bleu Casino. This operation revealed that the casino was running an unauthorized ATM that dispenses U.S. currency. When we caught up with Prime Minister John Briceno, we asked for his thoughts on the investigation.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well I think that is more a matter, not for the ministry of finance, but either the FIU or the Central Bank. The FIU is an independent unit. So, we allow them to do their investigation. Also, with the Central Bank, if there is any fine to be paid or anyone needs to be charged for having an illegal atm and dispensing U.S. dollars. Well, I am confident that the Central Bank is going to charge these people or take them to court, and they should, I would encourage them to do so.”
On October twenty-seventh, Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the casino’s operation, particularly where the ATM machine is concerned.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th 2024)
“I am sure you will appreciate that I can’t say much on that, because it is a live investigation.”
Paul Lopez
“How is it that a casino can operate a casino, undetected overtime?”
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“I have a better question, how is it configured? So, again the techies in the room can tell me. So, the moment this thing started, obviously Belize small and I personally received messages from citizens in San Pedro that this was taking place.”
Governor Michael didn’t specify what penalties the casino might face under the Currency Exchange Act or the National Payment Systems Act. However, he did confirm that a cease-and-desist order would be issued to Caribi Bleu Casino. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister stated he would not be getting involved in the investigation.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I have not call them. I will not get involved. It is an investigation. Again, the Central Bank is independent from the government, as the F.I.U. All we can do is encourage them to do their investigation and if there are any person that should be found guilty of any wrongdoing, they should be charged to the fullest extent.”
Marion Ali
“But there needs to be a set a procedures to follow in order to get an atm inside of a casino facility that dispenses U.S. dollars. How could they have totally circumvented the procedure?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It is not a matter circumventing the procedure, it is a matter that they brought in an atm. And we need to find out first of all how they brought in an atm. I don’t think there is anything illegal to bring an atm into the country. We need to find out from customs if that was even registered or if they paid to have that atm in Belize. But, once you have an atm it is easy to program. You put in the money and then it spits it out. It does not have anything to do with the Ministry of Finance.”
Marion Ali
“So, they just did not go through the proper procedure?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Exactly, and if that is so, then they need to be held accountable.”
In addition to the Central Bank’s investigation into the ATM, its setup, and the legality of its operation, the Financial Intelligence Unit (F.I.U) has its own work cut out. Part of the F.I.U’s job is to trace the source of the U.S. currency being loaded into the machine.
Kareem Michael (File: Nov 27th 2024)
“Casinos and these nonfinancial entities, falls under another member of NAMLAC, namely the FIU.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it a common practice to have atms in Casinos in Belize under the National Payment Systems Act?”
Kareem Michael
“Absolutely not.”
News Five has been trying to get an interview with the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit for the past three weeks, but our emails, phone calls, and messages have all gone unanswered. Adding to the mystery, there are questions about the name under which Caribi Bleu Casino is registered in Belize. According to the FIU’s website, there’s no casino listed under that name. We’ll keep pushing for answers from the F.I.U. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Last night, we brought you part three of our deep dive into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro. Tonight, we have breaking news: the Central Bank has confirmed they’re investigating the casino. As we’ve reported, the casino was caught running an unauthorized ATM that dispenses U.S. dollars. Our investigation has shown that while the Gaming Control Board oversees the casino industry and the Financial Intelligence Unit acts as the supervisory authority, the Central Bank regulates ATM operations and foreign currency exchange. Interestingly, the Central Bank has never approved ATMs inside casinos. This is the first time a casino in Belize has been found operating one, according to the Central Bank. There are still many questions about money laundering laws, but today we got to ask the Central Bank about their investigation into the casino’s activities. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Planning a trip outside of Belize for business, medical reasons, or a vacation? The right way to get foreign currency is through a dealer authorized by the Central Bank. Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael explains how it works.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“This is fancy terminology for a domestic bank who has been given the authority to sell foreign currency within our system.”
And there is a limit to how much foreign currency any single individual can receive from an authorized dealer.
Kareem Michael
“As it stands now, you can get U.S two hundred and fifty dollars per day, while those travelling for medical and vacation purposes can get U.S three thousand each. This is for the entire trip.”
Customers have been saying the limit is too tight, so the Central Bank is bumping it up to ten thousand U.S. dollars across the board. Now, picture this: you find an unauthorized ATM inside a casino in Belize that spits out U.S. currency. You could skip the application process, dodge a trip to the bank, and fly under the Central Bank’s radar. After weeks of investigation, it turns out that Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro has been running an unauthorized ATM that dispenses U.S. currency. An undercover operation inside the casino caught the machine in action, spitting out U.S. bills with just a credit card swipe. Today, we had the chance to ask the Central Bank’s Governor, the head of the regulatory body, some pressing questions about this situation.
Paul Lopez
“What sort of investigation has the Central Bank launched into this as a part of your mandate to secure Belize’s financial sector?”
Kareem Michael
“I am sure you will appreciate that I can’t say much on that because it is a live investigation and one that began well before your media house started to run the story.”
Governor Michael confirmed that the Central Bank is looking into Caribi Bleu Casino’s use of the unauthorized ATM. News Five learned that although the ATM was reported to the Central Bank months ago, their busy schedule delayed the sting operation until a couple of weeks ago. Michael explained that these unauthorized transactions can upset the local foreign exchange market, as U.S. dollars can be sold at any price set by the dealer, creating a parallel market and a dual exchange rate.
Paul Lopez
“Is it a common practice to have atm machines in casinos under the National Payment System Act.”
Kareem Michael
“Absolutely not.”
In fact, it is unheard of in Belize. News Five has confirmed that this is the first such instance where a casino in the country has been operating an ATM, more so one that dispenses U.S. currency. So, how did Caribi Bleu Casino manage to pull this off? The short answer: with some seriously sophisticated tech skills.
Paul Lopez
“How is it that a casino can operate an atm undetected for a period of time?”
Kareem Michael
“I got a better question, how is it configured? So yeah.”
News Five has confirmed that the ATM machine inside Caribi Bleu Casino was connected to a tower in Miami. Through this technology, the machine was able to process a user’s banking information and dispense the amount requested from the U.S currency loaded into the machine. One of the pressing questions at this point is, where does U.S. currency loaded into the atm comes from and if these funds are linked to money laundering? Michael says F.I.U is the supervisory authority over casinos. So, they will have to establish these answers. Notably, the Central Bank is a member of the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee, as is the FIU.
Kareem Michael
“The Central Bank is a member of part of NAMLAC. The Central Bank has supervisory authority for the financial institutions I listed. Casinos and these non-financial entities fall under another member of NAMLAC, namely the FIU.”
But our calls and messages to the Director of FIU have gone unanswered for a couple of weeks. The Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, Bob Bounahra, also told us on Tuesday that the board does not have authority over financial regulations, but that if the Central Bank or the FIU raises and issue and brings it to the attention of the board, it will take the necessary measures. All this probing has brought to our attention a gap in cooperation between these entities, which Michaels confirmed.
Paul Lopez
“So how would you all receive information or become aware of this suspicious transaction, if not through the Gaming Control Board, the FIU?”
Kareem Michael
“Absolutely, because they again are the supervisory authority. Now there is an opportunity, I think this is what you are suggesting, if whether or not there can be greater cooperation between all entities like this because it is one anti-money laundering framework. Again there is a NAMLC committee where such things can be presented and tabled and everybody can be involved.”
News Five has confirmed that Caribi Bleu Casino will receive a cease-and-desist order by Friday as the Central Bank and the FIU continue their investigation. When the Central Bank establishes that Caribi Bleu Casino acted in contravention of the law, the director, general manager and secretary can be held liable, at least under the Exchange Control Act. We’ll keep following this story and push for answers from the FIU about its investigation into the source of the funds. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Over the past few weeks, News Five has been digging into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro. So far, we’ve discovered that the casino’s owner has connections to an alleged illegal gaming spot in Lady Lake, Florida. We’ve also found an unauthorized ATM inside Caribi Bleu Casino on the island town that dispenses U.S. currency. But before we dive deeper into our investigation, it’s crucial to understand how casinos are set up in Belize and why there’s a maze of legislation and multiple authorities overseeing the industry. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A recent study reveals that the global casino market was worth a staggering one hundred and sixty-three billion dollars in 2023, with Latin America’s share estimated at eight point seven billion dollars. While the exact value of Belize’s casino market remains undisclosed, the influx of half a million tourists in 2023 suggests that the local casino industry is poised to deliver significant returns for investors.
The first recorded legislation to regulate casinos in Belize dates back to April thirtieth, 1999, during a National Assembly debate led by then Prime Minister Said Musa. During the discussion on the proposed Gaming Control Bill, he remarked, quote, It would provide a system for the licensing and control of this business and allow for the imposition of a very serious tax on gaming. Under the law any operator of such machines must first obtain a license, otherwise the establishment will be closed down.” unquote
Since then, the Gaming Control Act has undergone numerous amendments, evolving into the comprehensive sixty-one-page document it is today. A quick Google search for casinos in Belize now yields eight results. These establishments cater to thrill-seekers and gambling enthusiasts, offering a variety of traditional casino games like slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, and more.
How to Open a Casino in Belize
Entering the Belize casino market involves several key steps. First, anyone looking to open a casino must apply to the Gaming Control Board. Since Belizean casinos mainly target tourists, applicants need to be ready to invest significantly in a four- or five-star hotel or resort. This is one of the primary conditions for getting started. To show just how serious they are about vetting applicants and their proposed operations, the Gaming Control Board requires a detailed business plan. Along with this, potential casino owners must provide proof of clearance from the Belize Tourism Board, a full set of fingerprints, and meet twenty other requirements. Additionally, they need approval from the area representative or mayor and the police.
Paul Lopez
“Do you know an individual by the name of Remington Ray, the owner of Caribi Bleu Casino?”
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“No, I don’t.”
Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, Bob Bounahra, emphasized to News Five, ‘If all the checks are not crossed, you are not getting a license.’ He explained that the clearance from the Belize Tourism Board is crucial to boost tourism investment in Belize, stating, ‘Casinos are not our main goal. The casino is to assist the tourism industry.’ When asked about the importance of getting a no-objection letter from the area representative or municipal authority, Nahra said, ‘If you want to put a casino across from a church or in the middle of the ocean, I sit in an office in Belize City and have no idea what happens in San Pedro. I need their help. They run their town or city. They know what is best for them, so we can make the correct decision.’ The no-objection letter must be submitted to the board as a hardcopy.
The Gaming Control Board
Gaming in Belize is a booming industry, overseen by a nine-member Gaming Control Board, primarily made up of representatives from various government ministries. This board has the authority to regulate casino operations, grant and revoke licenses, and ensure that casinos remain free of criminal activities. When we asked Chairman Bounahra about the frequency of compliance checks in Belizean casinos, he explained, ‘We do it about two or three times a year. This is because licenses are issued annually, so we assess everything at the end of the year and review each individual case.’ Interestingly, the Gaming Control Act doesn’t specify how often these checks should occur. According to Bounahra, the compliance unit within the Ministry of Investment handles these visits. He added, ‘If the board were to decide when the department needs to make visits, we’d be wasting our time. It’s the department that conducts the visits. We ask for checks and compliance.’ He clarified that the Board doesn’t give specific directives on what to check during these visits.
Money Laundering in Casinos
One issue that has kept regulatory bodies on high alert in the casino sector for decades is money laundering. A 2009 study by the Financial Action Task Force identified casinos as the highest risk for money laundering activities. This is why Belize’s Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act explicitly covers casinos. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is designated as the supervisory authority for casinos in Belize, tasked with ensuring they comply with anti-money laundering obligations through on-site examinations and other methods.
In addition to the FIU’s role, the Gaming Control Board also conducts compliance visits to assess casinos’ adherence to anti-money laundering laws. When asked about the board’s involvement in monitoring financial transactions, Bounahra explained, ‘The board only looks at what the department is monitoring. We don’t deal directly with individuals or companies.’ He also mentioned that the board receives monthly financial reports from casino establishments.
Regarding the capacity of compliance officers to detect suspicious financial transactions, Bounahra said, ‘We were at zero before taking over this last board in 2021, and now we’re almost there. It took a lot of work, but we’ve made significant progress. There’s no such thing as 100%, but we’re almost where we want to be. Despite all these compliance measures, one burning question remains: how did Caribi Bleu Casino manage to operate an unauthorized ATM dispensing U.S. currency right inside its premises. Bounahra categorically stated that he cannot speak about this, because the Gaming Control Board does not have authority over these matters. He confined his comments only to gaming. The Central Bank of Belize is the body empowered to issue authorization for the operation of payment systems such as automated teller machines as well as authorization to deal in foreign currency. So, did they give Caribi Bleu Casino permission to do both? We continue to seek answers from the Central Bank of Belize. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Tonight, we’re turning our attention back to a casino in San Pedro Town. Lastweek, News Five had an in-depth interview with Mayor Wally Nunez about allegations that up to two hundred golf cart permits were issued to Caribi Bleu Casino. This evening, we have video footage of the council’s Vehicle Master List, which only shows the number of vehicles registered after permits are issued. Despite this, we accepted the mayor’s invitation to document the list. As our investigation into Caribi Bleu Casino deepens, News Five now has video evidence showing the casino illegally operating an ATM that dispenses U.S. currency. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
In our last investigative report on Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro, we grilled Mayor Wally Nunez about claims that the casino’s owners were granted two hundred golf cart permits. Issuing that many permits to a single establishment seems outrageous, and Mayor Nunez firmly denied the allegations.
Wally Nunez
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro Town
“That is not a fact.”
Today, the San Pedro Town Council gave News Five a look at its Vehicle Master List, which shows a whopping fourteen thousand, four hundred and sixty-seven registered vehicles on the island. The mayor’s aide mentioned that the list needs updating since some entries are inactive. We then searched for any vehicles registered to Caribi Bleu Casino, and sure enough, we found results under Caribi Bleu Limited. It turns out they have twenty golf carts registered and insured as of May twenty-eighth, 2024.
Wally Nunez
“The company applied for the renewal of some permits they had, which was twenty golfcarts. That was approved even while Monetas was there, which was twenty golfcarts for the resort.”
It’s important to note that the Vehicle Master List only shows how many vehicles are registered under a person or company, not how many permits were issued to them. Despite our visit to the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department, our recent trip to Caribi Bleu Casino left us with more questions than answers. We discovered that numerous golf carts were being stored in a neighboring building the casino is developing. Video footage from early October shows golf carts neatly parked on the cramped first floor. However, today that same floor was almost empty, except for a few old gaming machines. A spokesperson for Caribi Bleu Casino claimed that no golf carts were parked inside the building, but our initial video tells a different story.
What’s even more suspicious is that there’s an ATM inside the casino dispensing U.S. currency. According to the Exchange Control Regulations Act, you need authorization from the Central Bank to deal in foreign currency. In a covert operation, someone used their card at the casino’s ATM, entered their PIN, and within seconds, two U.S. bills popped out. News Five has confirmed that Caribi Bleu Casino doesn’t have Central Bank authorization for this machine. The law states that anyone who doesn’t comply with the Exchange Control Regulations Act can be fined or face jail time. Additionally, under the Payment Systems Act, you can’t operate an ATM without a license from the Central Bank, and that license must be clearly displayed inside the establishment. Tonight, many questions remain unanswered. Where does the U.S. currency for the ATM come from? Did the Gaming Control Board do its homework before giving Caribi Bleu Casino its license? And has there been any compliance check to ensure they’re following regulations and anti-money laundering laws? We’ll keep digging to find the answers. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
