Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team to crack down money laundering in B.C.

British Columbia government announced the creation of the new group to bring down illegal gaming and money-laundering in B.C.’s casinos.

Canada.- The British Columbia government recently announced the creation of a Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team devoted to crack down money laundering and illegal gambling in the province.

The new team will aim to prevent criminals from using B.C. casinos to legalise dirty money and to raise public awareness of the role operators play in identifying and reporting illegal gaming and financial transactions.

The announcement of the creation of the force was made by Kevin Hackett, chief operating officer of the CFSEU-BC, Finance Minister Michael de Jong, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris.

Hackett explained that operations and governance will be monitored by senior police managers from the RCMP and municipal departments and chaired by the commanding officer of RCMP “E” division in B.C. “The objective of the Joint Illegal Gaming Investigative Team is to provide a dedicated, integrated, and co-ordinated multi-jurisdictional investigative and enforcement response to illegal gaming in B.C. with an emphasis on top-tier organized crime and gangs,” Hackett said.

“As the province’s gaming industry continues to grow and thrive, it’s incumbent on government to ensure that B.C.’s gaming facilities are operated in a safe and responsible manner for the enjoyment of recreational gamblers across the province,” expressed de Jong after the announcement.

The B.C. government’s anti-money laundering strategy consists on separating the gaming industry from cash transactions and to examine the remaining cash in an effort to differentiate money-laundering from legitimate gaming.