Niagara’s Fallsview Casino fined $70K for anti-money laundering violations
Posted January 24, 2024 12:26 pm.
Last Updated January 24, 2024 12:37 pm.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Niagara’s Fallsview Casino $70,000 for allowing a “high-risk” patron to exchange money for gambling chips in a potential money laundering scheme.
The provincial gambling watchdog says in April 2023, a patron carrying a reusable grocery bag went to the casino and entered the Salon Privé, described as an “exclusive high limit gaming area” within the casino that offers “wagering as high as five figures.” While there, the individual exchanged $80,000 in strapped $100 bills for casino chips before leaving the table without playing.
“Despite having previously identified the player as ‘high risk,’ the casino failed to notify the AGCO and on-site police of this transaction as required,” the AGCO said in a statement. “The casino operator also failed to take any meaningful steps to ascertain and corroborate the patron’s source of funds, as is required by anti-money laundering rules set out in the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming.”
A spokesperson with Fallsview Casino tells CityNews they “respectfully disagree” with the AGCO’s ruling and will be appealing the decision.
