\nGamblers flocked into four Vancouver-area casinos over a recent three-month period hauling bags of $20 bills that added up to millions of dollars in suspicious transactions, according to information provided by the provincial Finance Ministry in response to a freedom of information request from the CBC.<\/p>\n
\tThe Edgewater Casino in the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver alone reported $5,242,090 in unusual transactions from March 20 to June 21.<\/p>\n
\tCBC reported that $2.5 million in suspicious transactions occurred at New Westminster\u2019s Starlight Casino, while $24 million was flagged at Richmond\u2019s River Rock Casino.<\/p>\n
\tPolice were rarely, if ever contacted, according to the incident reports.<\/p>\n
\tIn some cases, patrons showed up at the door with plastic or brown paper bags filled with cash in wads held together by rubber bands.<\/p>\n
\tFor example, on May 5, a person showed up at the Starlight Casino with $49,900 in $100, $50 and $20 bills wrapped in rubber bands and stashed in a paper Body Shop bag.<\/p>\n
\tOn June 1, a patron showed up at the same casino with $100,000 all in $20 bills \u2014 a currency frequently used in street-level drug transactions.<\/p>\n
\tIn some cases, patrons bought in and cashed out without playing or with very minimal playing.<\/p>\n
\tThere were reports of chips being exchanged in washrooms and of bundles of $100 bills being exchanged under tables.<\/p>\n
\tWhen gamblers use cash transactions at casinos, the source of the money can\u2019t be traced. Gangsters are suspected of using the system to launder dirty money by buying in, then not necessarily betting and cashing out the credit, claiming the income as winnings.<\/p>\n
\tThere were roughly 500 reports of suspicious transactions in response to the freedom of information request.<\/p>\n
\tCasinos are required to identify and report any suspicious activity to the provincial government, as well as all cash transactions of $10,000 or more.<\/p>\n
\tIn 2011, the government launched an anti-money-laundering strategy focused on reducing the use of cash to minimize the opportunity for money laundering to take place through gambling facilities.<\/p>\n
\tImprovements under the strategy include a move toward more electronic banking, reducing the need for gamblers to carry cash.<\/p>\n
\tBut Mike Farnworth, the NDP critic for the solicitor general and public safety, said nothing of substance has been done.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI think that is particularly alarming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHe added the report is obviously concerning.<\/p>\n
\tBecause casino gambling and money laundering are not unique to B.C., he said the government needs to research best practices in other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.<\/p>\n
\tWhile reports of suspicious activity are being dutifully filed, \u201cthe question is what happens afterward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tIn a statement released by B.C.\u2019s ministry of finance, the government claims there has been significant progress in providing traceable cash alternatives.<\/p>\n
\tIn the first six months of 2014, there were nearly 9,800 debit transactions at casinos for a total of $18,158,390. When this option was first introduced in 2012, there were only 50 transactions in the first six months, according to Victoria.<\/p>\n
\tThe government claims that in 2013\/14, almost one-quarter of play was paid for using non-cash instruments.<\/p>\n
\tNeither Vancouver police nor RCMP would comment on the report. A call to Edgewater Casino was not returned.<\/p>\n
No replies were posted for this topic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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