Casino Boss Rima Ray’s Empire Under Fire 

We’re following new developments tonight in the ongoing investigation into American casino boss Rima Ray and her operations in San Pedro. The Financial Intelligence Unit has confirmed that Ray’s casino, known as GMK Sky or Caribi Bleu, was never registered with the FIU, despite being legally required to do so. So how did it stay open? Well, it turns out she was granted a provisional license by the Gaming Control Board. But that’s just the beginning. With an unlicensed ATM, stacks of U.S. cash, and now Ray’s arrest in the U.S. on gambling and fraud charges, Belizean authorities are digging deeper into what could be a much bigger story. Here’s News Five’s Paul Lopez.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tonight, we have new details of American casino boss, Rima Ray’s operations in San Pedro. Director at the Financial Intelligence Unit, Leni Ysaguirre McGann confirmed with News Five, that GMK Sky or Caribi Bleu Casino was not registered with the FIU. The unit began asking questions about the operations in late 2024 after a News Five investigation revealed an unlicensed ATM inside the casino.

 

Leni Ysaguirre McGann, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit

“I can confirm that the FIU would have initiated inquires into the matter, in particular in terms of the supervision of casinos they are obliged to register with the FIU, so we had examined that matter, because at that time and even now, Caribi Bleu or GMK Sky are not registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit as a casino. And that they had not complied with that obligation and an application has been made, but FIU had not taken the steps to register them.”

 

So, here’s the big question, how did Rima Ray’s casino manage to operate in San Pedro without being registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit, which oversees casinos in Belize? Well, according to a press release from the Ministry of Investment last week, Ray was granted what’s called an operational license. That license gave her the green light to run the casino, on a provisional basis, despite not being registered with the FIU, which is legally required to ensure anti-money laundering compliance. FIU Director Leni Ysaguirre McGann confirmed that the Gaming Control Board issued that license. But that still leaves one major concern: where exactly did the U.S. cash loaded into that unlicensed ATM come from?

 

Leni Ysaguirre McGann

“I think beyond that, this matter does present large concerns, especially given information that is clearly in the public domain. So, we are looking from an investigative standpoint now at the entire operation. I would not want to say much beyond that on the investigation side, because these matters are sensitive and the authorities need to conduct their investigation in a manner that would not prejudice it or alert those we are investigating as to the nature of our investigation.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Would the FIU have followed up on Rima Ray’s operations in Belize if not for her arrest in the U.S.?”

 

Leni Ysaguirre McGann

“Well, we have already been following up, Mr. Lopez.”

 

Ysaguirre McGann explained that while the FIU has been asking questions since the unlicensed atm, it can only work with credible information. Now, with Ray’s arrest in the U.S. on charges related to illegal gambling and fraud, with suspicions of money laundering, the unit must now do its due diligence. And while the Central Bank and the FIU removed the unlicensed ATM machine from the casino, was there a systemic and collaborative breakdown between the members of the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee?

 

Leni Ysaguirre McGann

“I think that you would have to have regard to the fact that measures that the authorities can take have to be commensurate with evidence and information that they reliably have and have gathered in front of them at the time. Beyond that authorities have to be very mindful of how they operate and they cannot take measures based on speculation. They have to move on credible information and that is the sort of response we have seen. As that situation changes the authorities would act accordingly.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Are we looking at other players, whether it is in the private or public sector, because how can someone run such a major operation in Belize without any intervention from governing authorities or support otherwise?”

 

Leni Ysaguirre McGann

“The FIU Is currently in contact with the relevant authorities who would have had some role to play with the relevant authorities who would have had some sort of role to  play with the oversight or issuance of license. In this investigation we are looking at the entire operation, yes.”

FIU Director McGann explained that with the cross-border elements, an investigation of this nature can be drawn out. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.