Watchdog to review how Ontario casinos accepted suspicious cash

Watchdog to review how Ontario casinos accepted suspicious cash

Article brief provided by CTV News Toronto
  • Jon Woodward, CTV News Toronto
May 1, 2023 8:18 PM
  • Jon Woodward, CTV News Toronto

A provincial government watchdog will review the actions of Ontario casinos that accepted cash from a man who went to several locations, where documents say he singlehandedly deposited and withdrew more than $4 million in suspicious transactions.

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The review comes after a CTV News Toronto investigation documented how Branavan Kanapathipillai’s huge cash buy-ins sparked some casino staff to write suspicious cash transactions reports and alert law enforcement — while still taking money whose source they determined was “unclear.”

“With the police investigation now complete, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit will be initiating a compliance review to assess whether casino operators met their regulatory obligations under the Registrar’s Standards,” the AGCO said in a statement.