In a significant development, Hard Rock International has suspended Alex Pariente, its senior vice president for hotel and casino operations, following serious allegations of involvement in a money laundering scheme linked to illegal bookmakers at Hard Rock Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
A whistleblower accused Pariente of allowing prominent figures such as Matt Bowyer, a Southern California bookie facing federal charges for money laundering, to gamble at the resort. The scandal highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding AML compliance within the iGaming sector.
Hard Rock has emphasized that it takes the matter seriously and will work with regulators to address the situation. However, this incident raises critical questions about the effectiveness of AML systems in major casino operators, particularly as the industry looks to expand globally.
As the company faces increased scrutiny, the timing could not be worse for Hard Rock, which is currently bidding for a casino license in New York City, a move that is now under further scrutiny.
