Suspicions at local casino
A scathing report from B.C.’s attorney general alleges widespread money laundering at Metro Vancouver casinos. And, information obtained by Castanet reveals investigators have had their eye on the Okanagan, too.
Information revealed through a freedom-of-information request details suspected cheating, fraud and money laundering at the Kelowna Playtime Casino.
Records show there were 14 occurrences at the casino in 2017 that were investigated by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. Of those, one is being investigated as a "money laundering - suspicious cash transaction."
Eleven incidents are being investigated as cheating or collusion and two more are simply classified as “other.”
Sources close to the GPEB say there isn’t major money laundering going on in Kelowna, however.
On Nov. 10, 2017, a man was observed making a suspicious transaction about 10:30 p.m. outside the Kelowna casino.
The man was observed playing baccarat then making several phone calls while playing a slot machine.
“(He) is observed making another phone call in which he immediately leaves the casino.”
He is then observed walking up and down Water Street while talking on his cellphone.
“A black (vehicle)… pulls into the Prospera Place parking lot, approaches the driver’s side window and appears to place an object into his left side jacket as he walks away from the vehicle,” reads the report.
The man then re-enters the casino and proceeds to buy in at baccarat for $5,000 in $50 bills.
Attorney General David Eby's ministry would not comment on the incident.
“Government cannot disclose information about the file in question because it is related to an ongoing investigation,” said a spokesperson.
Eby commissioned former RCMP deputy commissioner Peter German to review Vancouver-area casinos after one casino accepted $13.5 million in $20 bills in just a one-month period in 2015.
German found at least $100 million has been laundered through casinos, but admits the total could be much higher.
The Kelowna incident has been flagged, but does not confirm money laundering actually occurred, the ministry says.
“When that occurrence is reported to GPEB, investigators with GPEB and or police will open an SCT (suspcious cash transaction)/money laundering investigation to determine what happened ... It is up to police to determine whether or not money laundering has occurred.”
Surveillance video from a Vancouver casino showed gamblers walking in with suitcases and a hockey bag full of $20 bills. Eby said common sense would suggest something illegal is going on.
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