Belize’s Senate has temporarily halted the passage of the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill 2025, citing significant gaps in public accountability and community protection. The proposed legislation, aimed at overhauling the nation’s gambling laws, faced intense scrutiny following an investigative report by News Five on the Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro. The report revealed unauthorized operations, including an illegal ATM dispensing U.S. currency and an excessive number of golf cart permits, leading to the casino’s license revocation and the arrest of its owner, Ray, in the U.S. on fraud and illegal gambling charges. Church Senator Louis Wade spearheaded the call for revisions, emphasizing the need for ‘no gambling zones,’ community involvement in licensing decisions, and stricter safeguards against minors’ exposure to gambling. The bill, initially intended to consolidate existing laws, will now undergo further review to address these pressing concerns before returning to the Senate.