The House Doesn’t Always Win: Three Binion’s Employees Charged in $300K Skimming Scheme
Binion’s Gambling Hall is a name synonymous with Las Vegas grit and outlaw history. Founded by the legendary Benny Binion—a man who famously served time for tax evasion—the property has seen its fair share of drama. But the latest scandal isn’t coming from the high-stakes poker tables; it’s coming from the cash registers at the Binion’s Café.
Three former employees are currently facing serious charges after allegedly skimming nearly $300,000 from the iconic Fremont Street establishment over a two-year period.
The Art of the “Manual Discount”
According to records from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the trio—Christina Carbonell, Siraprapha Rattana, and Rommel Soriano—exploited a loophole in the restaurant’s point-of-sale system.
The scheme was reportedly simple but effective:
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The Transaction: A customer would pay the full cash amount for their meal.
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The Tweak: The cashiers would retroactively apply “manual discounts” (meant for comps or errors) of 50% or even 100% to the closed transaction.
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The Skim: The employees would pocket the difference between what the customer paid and what the register officially recorded.
A 30% Gap in the Books
The house eventually caught on, but not through the cameras first. An internal audit revealed a glaring red flag: a 30% discrepancy between food inventory and revenue. While the kitchen was churning out enough food to generate over $1 million, the books were only showing $700,000.
When security finally turned to the “eye in the sky,” the footage told the rest of the story. Investigators allege that Rattana was caught on camera concealing cash, while Soriano, a waiter, reportedly acted as a lookout—using his body to block camera angles or signaling when security was nearby.
Laundering on the Strip?
The investigation went beyond the casino floor. Authorities analyzed the suspects’ bank accounts and found thousands in cash deposits that didn’t match their hourly wages.
Perhaps most ironically, police noted significant gambling activity at rival casinos. It appears the stolen funds were being cycled through other downtown and off-Strip gaming properties, effectively using the town’s favorite pastime to launder the proceeds of the heist.
The Legal Fallout
The total reported loss for Binion’s sits at a staggering $298,000. The legal consequences for the trio are now unfolding:
| Defendant | Charges | Status |
| Christina Carbonell | Theft exceeding $100,000 | Pleaded Not Guilty; Banned from Binion’s |
| Siraprapha Rattana | Theft exceeding $100,000 | Pleaded Not Guilty; Posted $20k Bail |
| Rommel Soriano | Theft ($5,000 – $25,000) | Pleaded Not Guilty |
With preliminary hearings scheduled throughout April and May, the legacy of Binion’s adds yet another chapter to its storied, and sometimes shady, history. It’s a stark reminder that in a town built on math and surveillance, the numbers always have a way of catching up to you.
What do you think of this “manual discount” scheme? Let us know in the comments if you’ve noticed tighter security at your favorite Vegas haunts lately!
