The government of British Columbia has given the B.C. Lottery Corporation more regulatory teeth to monitor the gaming industry to help it combat money laundering more effectively.
Attorney General David Eby, whose ministry oversees gaming, announced the new operational service agreements between the government and the Lottery.
Eby commented, “I’m very happy there is a new service agreement that is coming into place for B.C. casinos that will increase the ability of the B.C. Lottery Corporation, and, by extension, government, to enforce these policies.”
Eby said he was convinced of the necessity for such changes after reading a report by a previous government about possible money-laundering done through the River Rock Casino in Richmond. The casino reported accepted $13.5 million in $20 bills—possibly crime receipts— in 2015. Much of this money came from Asian “high rollers” with a single transaction of more than $500,000 reported.
The management of River Rock, the Great Canadian Gaming Corp., insists that it strictly follows compliance procedures.
Eby has asked former Royal Canadian Mounted Police deputy commissioner Peter Grimes to conduct a review. His report is expected in March.
Eby commented, “When he provides that advice to me, we need to make sure not only that it’s implemented in the form of policy, but that policy is enforceable, that there is actually a consequence on the ground at casinos in British Columbia as a result.”
The B.C. Lottery will then be expected to implement Grimes’s recommendations.
