The British Columbia government has granted the government-owned British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) with increased control over provincial casinos.
In Victoria, B.C., just the other day, I had the opportunity to attend a press conference where the Attorney General and Minister for Gaming, David Eby, made an important announcement. With recent reports of money laundering activities in casinos, the government is taking a stand and implementing new regulations to crack down on these illegal actions. This has become a major concern for the province, and it is high time that appropriate measures are put in place to address this issue. Eby emphasized that casinos will now face severe consequences if found guilty of facilitating money laundering, showing the government's determination to tackle this problem head-on.
In order to ensure compliance with the new regulations, British Columbia (B.C.) will enhance the current protocols of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), focusing particularly on measures related to security and oversight of adherence to the rules. Once the current contracts and concessions of provincial casinos expire, the BCLC will sign new operational service agreements with them, aiming to enhance discipline and intensify its monitoring efforts in the gaming industry.
In his official declaration, Eby conveyed
I'm thrilled about the upcoming implementation of a new service agreement for B.C. casinos. This agreement will greatly enhance the B.C. Lottery Corporation's capacity to enforce important policies, thereby benefiting the government as well. It brings me great joy to see measures being taken to strengthen the oversight and regulation of the casino industry in British Columbia. With this new service agreement, there will be increased effectiveness in enforcing policies that ensure fair and responsible gambling practices. This development marks a significant step forward in protecting the well-being of individuals and maintaining the integrity of the gaming sector. I'm truly grateful for this positive progress towards creating a safer and more accountable gambling environment.
Since 1997, the BCLC has been granted the authority to oversee and administer the gambling industry in the province of B.C. in accordance with the Gaming Control Act (GCA). As stipulated by this legislation, the BCLC is empowered to carry out and manage gambling activities on behalf of the province, while also assuming responsibility for regulating the industry. Additionally, the BCLC has been given the ability to form alliances and establish agreements pertaining to gaming services, and to ensure that gaming providers and casinos adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the GCA by closely monitoring their compliance.
As we eagerly await the outcome of a comprehensive report examining the inner workings of British Columbia's gaming sector, the B.C. government is actively taking steps to bolster the authority of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). These new agreements aim to enhance the BCLC's regulatory power and ensure a robust framework for oversight in the province's gambling industry. The impetus for this review was fueled by the notorious money laundering scandal that rocked the River Rock Casino back in 2015, prompting the previous Liberal government to commission a thorough investigation into the roots of this illicit activity. Now, as we move forward, these measures will pave the way for a more transparent and accountable gaming landscape in British Columbia.
In September of this year, it was discovered through investigations that the River Rock Casino in Richmond had a concerning lack of knowledge among the majority of its staff when it came to their responsibilities in detecting and reporting instances of money laundering. This finding came after a previous incident in July 2015, where it was revealed that the casino had accepted a staggering $13.5 million worth of $20 bills, which were identified as the currency commonly used in street-level drug deals. Additionally, a report from 2016 disclosed that the River Rock Casino had once accepted a cash buy-in totaling over $500,000. These incidents highlight the need for heightened vigilance and training within the casino industry to combat money laundering effectively.
By March 2018, Peter German, a former deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Correctional Service Canada, will submit his assessment of the gaming sector in British Columbia to the government.
