In the aftermath of a Quebec French-language news channel investigative unit’s discovery that Mafia leaders received access to luxury perks through the Montreal Casino, the finance minister ordered an external and independent audit of casinos.
Eric Girard wants a look deeper into casino operations particularly loyalty programs. The independent audit will examine potential money laundering and criminal activity and will see if the loyalty programs ensure it’s not rewarding those who get receive cash from illegal activity.
The investigation by the TV channel found one alleged Mafioso was listed among the top 10 players at the Montreal Casino in 2019. Stefano Sollecito was at the center of a police investigation in 2014 and 2015, a time when he gambled $2.5 million, the investigators allege, according to CJAD.
Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade told the Canadian Press she wants to see an independent public inquiry, featuring several commissions with a -targeted mandate for some six months, she said. Quebec Solidaire said it wants the government to suspend the heads of Loto-Quebec while the audit is being carried out.
It is also calling for a public inquiry, saying it “would have enabled us to compel all the people concerned to testify, whereas external investigators will not have that power. Loto-Québec is a [government] corporation, it is accountable to the public and it has a duty of transparency,” said QS spokesperson and Rosemont MNA Vincent Marissal.
Loto-Quebec responded to the audit talk saying it will fully collaborate, in efforts to ascertain the best ways to stop organized crime.
“In the interest of continuous improvement, Loto-Québec keeps abreast of best practices to counter the methods used in organized crime, which are constantly evolving. The Corporation will ensure the cooperation of all staff and will apply any recommendations resulting from the audit,” said Lynne Roiter, president and CEO of Loto-Quebec.
