The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has confirmed it is assisting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with its investigation into money laundering within casinos in the GTA and Niagara regions.
AGCO’s Ontario Provincial Police’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) has provided assistance throughout the police’s investigation, which has brought criminal charges against five individuals.
The investigation – which took the RCMP four years to complete – found that $3m from illegal cannabis sales was allegedly laundered through casinos within AGCO’s jurisdiction.
Alison Jevons, Chief Superintendent, Ontario Provincial Police, Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, noted: “The OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau attached to the AGCO provided dedicated resources to the RCMP throughout the course of its investigation.
“We were pleased to lend our resources and gaming expertise to the RCMP in this matter, and will continue to support all stakeholders in our shared goal of effectively detecting and safeguarding against criminal activities in casinos.”
Ontario is one of few jurisdictions that has a police department attached to its gaming regulator, which allows such investigations to occur.
The IEB, AGCO states, ‘provides investigative expertise, intelligence support and effective information sharing’ with other relevant external bodies.
