FIU and Gaming Control Board Zero in on Casino Boss
On Thursday night, we broke a major story, American casino boss Rima Ray has been in police custody for several days. Her arrest follows a months-long investigation, and now she’s facing a string of charges tied to illegal gambling. Back here in Belize, News Five reached out to the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Gaming Control Board with details of Ray’s arrest. Tonight, there is a major development. The Ministry of Finance has revoked the gaming license for GMK Sky Limited or Caribi Bleu Casino. A late afternoon release from the ministry says that the public should not engage in any activity with GMK Sky Limited. The ministry also says that all operations at the casino must cease and desist. Meanwhile, News Five is continuing its deep dive into Rima Ray’s operations in Belize. Paul Lopez has the latest in this developing story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Rima Ray, an American casino operator in Belize, is behind bars in the U.S. on charges related to gambling, fraud and the establishment of an illegal gaming business. And, if you are wondering why we refer to Ray as a woman, that is because she was born a female. Ray, however, transitioned to a man. In Belize she is known to most as Remington Ray. But even her inmate record refers to her as a forty-five-year-old female. She first came under our radar in October of 2024, after News Five received reports that Ray had acquired dozens of golfcart permits in an already traffic-congested San Pedro Town. At the time, Mayor Walberto Nunez denied those claims.
Walberto Nunez
Walberto Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro Town (File: Nov 6th, 2024)
“That is not a fact, initially when, I didn’t even know exactly when they changed ownership because it went from Pedros to Monetta and then Caribi Bleu.”
Mayor Nunez told us that he has knowledge of Ray but did not know her personally. And when we asked the Area Representative, Andre Perez about his knowledge of this individual, he denied knowing her.
Remington Ray
Paul Lopez
“Do you know an individual by the name of Remington Ray, the owner of Caribi Bleu Casino?”
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“No I don’t.”
When the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department gave us access to the traffic log, Mayor Nunez’s explanation checked out; twenty golfcart permits registered to Caribi Bleu Limited. But the story did not quite add up. News Five received video of golfcarts tucked away in a building adjacent to Rima Ray’s casino. However, when we gained access to that building, it was practically empty, except for a few old gaming machines. So, what was Ray hiding? It turned out that the real story was not in that empty room, but rather inside the casino itself. An unauthorized ATM machine, operational, dispensing U.S. currency.
Paul Lopez
“How is it that a casino can operate a casino undetected for a period of time?”
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th, 2024)
“I have a better question, how is it configured? So, again the techies in my IT department could probably give me some idea.”
The Financial Intelligence Unit is now revisiting the case with the latest information in hand. Today, Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, Bob Bounahra, informed News Five that the gaming board is working with all relevant authorities, including the FIU, to deal with this matter under the scope of the law.
So, could there be a link between Rima Ray’s illegal gambling operation in Florida and her business dealings right here in Belize? And what about that shady ATM that was quietly removed after being loaded with U.S. cash? Authorities are now trying to trace the source of those funds. What we do know is this: when U.S. agents arrested Ray, she had over three hundred thousand U.S. dollars in cash. Her explanation? She claimed it came from selling part of her casino in Belize. But investigators aren’t just taking her word for it. There’s a lot more to uncover, and we’re following every lead.
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
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