Federal prosecutors in Argentina are investigating a suspected money laundering operation involving ARS356m ($300,000) in casino chips.
The chips were purchased at Casino Central in Mar del Plata and later redeemed for ARS346m in cash at Trilenium Casino in Tigre. The transactions took place over two days in May 2025 and are now part of a broader investigation into suspected money laundering, illicit association and tax evasion.
The case is linked to a wider investigation into an alleged network accused of recruiting high-spending gamblers for casinos in Las Vegas.
It also involves claims filed in Nevada against former footballers Sergio Berti, José “Turu” Flores, Sergio Zárate and Norberto Ortega Sánchez, as well as journalist Quique Felman, who are being treated as alleged victims in that separate part of the investigation.
According to court documents and local media reports, the operation began on May 13, 2025, when Maximiliano Palermo entered a special betting room at Casino Central in Mar del Plata with ARS200m in cash.
Palermo subsequently returned to the casino with a couple. He purchased another ARS41m in chips, while the woman accompanying him bought an additional ARS25m worth in chips.
The operation continued the following day. Palermo attempted to cash the chips, but ultimately left the casino after the transaction could not be completed.
Another couple connected to the group then purchased a further ARS90m worth in chips; none of the chips were generated through casino winnings. Instead, the money was initially converted directly into chips before those chips were moved to another casino.
Five days later, at Trilenium Casino in Tigre, Juan Guevara arrived at the casino and asked to exchange them for cash.
Due to a shortage of cash, the final payment was made on May 26, when Guevara returned for the third time and received the remaining money.
The Buenos Aires Provincial Lottery and Casinos Institute also became involved after the transactions were flagged as suspicious.
Gonzalo Atanasof, President of the provincial institute, said the agency is required to report transactions that meet the criteria for suspicious activity to Argentina's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF).
The casino transactions emerged from a broader federal investigation, examining alleged money laundering, illicit association and tax evasion, as well as a possible scheme to move US dollars out of Argentina during the country's currency controls.
More than 30 raids have been carried out in Buenos Aires City, Buenos Aires province and Santa Fe. Authorities seized cash, vehicles, watches and passports during the operations. Investigators also found an ambulance that they believe may have been used to transport money.
Palermo has denied wrongdoing and said his activity was related to his work as a casino agent.
The case is linked to an alleged organization that recruited more than 200 gamblers for all-expenses-paid trips to Las Vegas, where they were allegedly encouraged to take casino credit and gamble, leaving the resulting debts in their names
