Hard Rock Suspends Executive Amid Betting Allegations

Hard Rock International has temporarily suspended its senior vice president for hotel and casino operations, Alex Pariente, following allegations of improper betting and financial misconduct at its Punta Cana casino. The suspension came after a whistleblower claimed Pariente engaged in suspicious money structuring and allowed unpaid credit markers.

According to reports, the employee facilitated a $100,000 deposit from a Chinese national by splitting it into multiple smaller transactions to evade anti-money laundering laws. The allegations, first revealed by a casino industry insider, prompted an internal investigation, with Hard Rock emphasizing its commitment to integrity and ethical conduct.

High-stakes gambler RJ Cipriani, a whistleblower, reported the misconduct to the company’s leadership, including CEO Jim Allen, and noted that federal and gaming regulators across Florida, Las Vegas, and New York are aware of the situation. Cipriani also mentioned that two other employees linked to Pariente have been suspended.

The scandal has cast a shadow over Hard Rock’s ambitions, particularly its $8 billion bid with Mets owner Steve Cohen for a new casino license near Citi Field, although the impact remains uncertain. The New York State Gaming Commission has declined to comment on the specific case but indicated it conducts thorough background checks as part of its licensing process.

Meanwhile, regulators in Nevada recently fined Resorts World, operated by the same parent company, $10.5 million for illegal gambling activities involving a bookmaker with ties to a former baseball interpreter, highlighting ongoing concerns within the industry. Other bidders for New York’s casino licenses include plans from Larry Silverstein, Caesars, MGM, Bally’s, and others, competing for the limited licenses to operate in the region.