Wednesday, February 28, in a statement Marie Margareth Fortuné, the Director General of the Haitian State Lottery (LEH) said she learned with astonishment and consternation that unidentified and ill-intentioned individuals are closing down Borlette Banks in different places in the country, without the express permission of the LEH, the only state authority legally responsible for regulating the gambling sector.

"From the publication of this press release, the Directorate General of the LEH informs the general public and tenants in particular that no authority or individual is authorized to proceed with the closure of a Borlette Bank without a request expressly in good and due form from the Directorate General addressed to a court competent in the matter.

Any offender will be brought to justice and will be punished according to the law."

IH/ iciHaiti