As casinos reopen in accordance with Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen plan, the Canadian province’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has established an inter-agency task force to monitor cash transactions.
The task force consists of representatives from the AGCO, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG).
In July 2020, Canada’s financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, released a report that showed a marked decrease in the amount of Large Cash Transaction and Casino Disbursement Reports being filed since lockdowns were instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also raised concerns about various methods of money laundering.
The task force will be closely watching cash transactions at casinos and member agencies can take appropriate action within their legislative mandate if any unusual patterns or transactions of concern are identified.
“The inter-agency task force is a great example of the cooperation among provincial agencies to disrupt potential criminal activity and ensure the integrity of Ontario’s gaming industry,” said Derek Ramm, Director, Anti-Money Laundering, AGCO.
“This is an excellent joint initiative that will augment the ongoing efforts between provincial agencies to disrupt potential money laundering within the Ontario gaming industry,” said Chief Superintendent Alison Jevons, Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau.
