3704 stories by Philip Conneller
Top BC Lawmaker Let Money Launderers Run Riot in State Casinos, Former Police Commander Says
British Columbia’s minister in charge of gaming under the province’s former Liberal government had no interest in combating money laundering at state-owned casinos, according to a former top police officer. Fred Pinnock was commander of BC’s anti-illegal gaming unit until it was...
‘Top Dog’ Gambler Played with CA$1.1 million at River Rock, Mostly $20 Bills
A “top dog” gambler with connections to an underground bank that allegedly laundered money for drug cartels was able to gamble with CA$1.1 million ($840k) in low denomination banknotes at a British Columbia casino. The Cullen Commission, which is examining the historical...
Two Plead Guilty to Witness Tampering in Japanese Casino Bribery Case
Two supporters of embattled Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto have pleaded guilty to witness tampering on behalf of the former casino policymaker. Akihito Awaji, 54, and Fumihiko Sato, 50, admitted to the Tokyo District Court this week that they attempted to bribe witnesses...
Crown Resorts ‘Unsuitable for Licensing’ in New South Wales, $1.4 Billion Sydney Casino Jeopardized
Lawyers assisting an inquiry into Crown Resorts in New South Wales have recommended the company be found unsuitable for licensing in the southeastern Australian state, throwing the $2 billion ($1.44 billion) Crown Sydney into jeopardy. The company hopes to open the new...
Philippines Regulator Greenlights Online Gambling Lifeline for Pandemic-Stricken Casinos
Casinos in the Philippines have permission to accept online bets to ease the financial pressures of the coronavirus. Alfredo Lim, president of the country’s operator-regulator, PAGCOR, confirmed the move to Bloomberg on Monday by text. But he declined to elaborate on the...
Aria Las Vegas Fined $12K for Breaching Social Distancing Rules, MGM Vows to Appeal
Las Vegas Strip resort Aria has been fined $12,617 for violating Nevada's coronavirus restrictions, the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said Monday. OSHA said it launched an investigation into the MGM Resorts International property after receiving a single complaint by...
US Election Betting Markets Set to Break Records, But Who Just Put $5 Million on Trump?
The 2020 US election is expected to break records as the biggest political betting event of all time. But reports of a $5 million bet on Donald Trump suggest someone has smashed the record for the most money ever staked on a...
England’s Land-Based Gambling Sector Braces as Country Returns to Lockdown
England will return to a state of national lockdown Thursday. Strict new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus will see the closure of all non-essential retail outlets, pubs, restaurants, leisure facilities, and entertainment venues until at least December 2. That...
BC Lottery Corp Denies Helping River Rock Casino Flout AML Laws
British Columbia’s biggest casino, River Rock, regularly underreported suspicious transactions in violation of anti-money laundering (AML) rules, an investigative inquiry into money laundering has found. Moreover, the province’s gambling regulator, BC Lottery Corp (BCLC), knew about the transgressions, but did nothing, according...
Dutch Regulator Fines Electronic Arts €10 Million for ‘Gambling Elements’ in FIFA Video Games
Video games giant Electronic Arts has vowed to appeal a €10 million ($11.7) fine handed down by Holland’s gambling regulator, Ksa, for violating the country’s Betting and Gaming Act. The regulator found that the loot boxes available in EA’s globally popular FIFA...
