An open letter from the BC Gaming Industry Association
December 18, 2017
Dear fellow British Columbians,
Over the last number of weeks there have been stories in the media regarding money laundering in our province. We want to take this opportunity to underscore the integrity of the gaming industry in BC, and confirm our support for ongoing efforts to ensure BC’s casinos remain a safe and fun place for you to enjoy entertainment.
All British Columbians benefit from the revenues that flow from our businesses into the provincial economy. Our industry generates more than one billion dollars for the BC government each year, contributing to services like education and health care.
That’s why we take our responsibility seriously to report any and all suspicious activities at our facilities to regulators. Diligent reporting by casino operators first identified the issues that led to the RCMP laying charges under its E-Pirate probe into money laundering activity. We continue to play a key role in fighting any illegal activity.
The issue of money laundering is a significant one, and touches a number of areas of the province’s economy. We recognize we all have a role to play in combatting money laundering, whether that is other business sectors, government, regulators, and the police.
We commend and thank Attorney General David Eby for making the fight against money laundering a priority, and appointing Peter German to provide an independent expert review of the province’s approach to combatting money laundering in the gaming industry. We welcome the interim measures announced recently to enhance oversight of our businesses, and will implement them as quickly as possible. These are sensible measures that should help our collective effort to prevent money laundering in casinos, and prosecute those who attempt to do so. We look forward to Mr. German’s final report this spring, and as an industry we will adopt any changes or improvements to the regulatory structure that result from the review.
Our members are committed to working with the provincial government, our regulators, and law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering in the BC economy. We look forward to continuing this work, and continuing to provide British Columbians with a safe and fun entertainment experience.
Sincerely,
The British Columbia Gaming Industry Association