Ontario casinos recorded $372M in suspicious transactions last year. Some critics call for urgent action
CTV
More than $350 million in suspicious transactions were recorded in Ontario casinos last year – a trend that requires urgent attention if the province intends to keep dirty money out of its gambling facilities, some critics say.
More than $350 million in suspicious transactions were recorded in Ontario casinos last year – a trend that requires urgent attention if the province intends to keep dirty money out of its gambling facilities, critics say.
Freedom of information requests made by CTV News show that $372 million in suspicious transactions were reported in Ontario casinos in 2022. The multi-million dollar figure follows years of pandemic lows but is still some $38 million higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Provincial gambling officials say the high number is a sign casino staff are rigourously reporting suspicious transactions, though the NDP critic for the Attorney-General, Kristyn Wong-Tam, said the volume is a major concern.
“I think that amount is quite alarming,” Wong-Tam said. “Clearly, more needs to be done and more needs to be done proactively.”
Among the transactions revealed in an affidavit tied to an OPP investigation is more than $4 million in casino buy-ins and withdrawals over several years by one man, Branavan Kanapathipillai.
His huge cash buy-in at Pickering Casino Resort in July 2022 sparked casino staff to write suspicious cash transaction reports and alert the authorities.
“He made 10 transactions ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, totalling $824,700,” wrote an officer in the affidavit.
