Organized Crime Fears Cloud British Columbia Online Gambling Plans
British Columbia Solicitor General Mike de Jong expressed concern over the province grandiose plans to introduce online gambling to Canadians. De Jong specifically cited revelations that the B.C. Lotteries Corp., which will oversee the online gambling website, has been fined $670,000 by the federal agency that tracks money laundering and terrorist financing.
De Jong said Tuesday he is reviewing reports he has just received about more than 1,000 violations by the lottery corporation of the federal Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act.
"Obviously the facilities are there to administer to members of the public engaged in lawful gaming activities and if some of these early reports are true, yes, it is troubling," de Jong said. "Gaming is legitimate activity. It is regulated heavily. We expect both those providing the gaming actrivites and those consumer and customers who use it to abide by the law."
de Jong said that if police need to be more involved in assisting B.C. Lotteries in dealing with potential for abuse by crime groups, he is prepared to look at it.
"The law enforcement agencies do monitor and are involved on an on-going basis ," de Jong said. "Whether or not that has to change or be adjusted is something we are prepared to look at."
Online gambling has long had a stronghold in British Columbia. Bodog was one of the companies that, until recently, maintained a presence there primarily as a marketing center. Vancouver has likewise been a breeding ground for less scrupulous online gambling operations (a la Futurebet and a handful penny stock companies that mostly screwed over investors and gamblers alike).
Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
