According to the Globe and Mail, the Progressive Conservatives are “demanding” that Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario government put a deal on hold with the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation as there are money laundering rumours surrounding them in British Columbia.
“We are calling on Premier Wynne to step in and halt this deal in Ontario immediately,” said PC finance critic Victor Fedeli.
In August, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) selected GCGC and Brookfield Business Partners LP to run three Ontario casinos in the Greater Toronto Area. The three locations were OLG Slots at Woodbine, OLG Slots at Ajax Downs and the Great Blue Heron Casino.
The money laundering concern started in September. B.C Attorney General David Eby announced their government is going to launch an independent review of the gambling industry and its policies.
Big money and big donations sparked the interest of Eby. When he read a government report that the GCG’s River Rock Casino accepted $13.5 million in $20 bills in July of 2015, a red flag went up.
The GCG says that they are not aware if they are under investigation.
Fedeli in the most Canadian way possible said: “We’re talking about hockey duffel bags full of cash.”
Great Canadian Gaming has responded by saying that it has ensured that regulatory compliance procedures are strictly followed.
“Contrary to suggestions otherwise, to our knowledge our company is not under investigation in any jurisdiction,” chief operating officer Terrance Doyle stated in a statement.
OLG has responded to the story and allegations saying: “OLG has confirmed with B.C. and Ontario regulators that Great Canadian is not under a criminal or regulatory investigation in British Columbia or Ontario for illegal activity involving money laundering.”
At an event on Monday, Premier Wynne said the OLG has very clear anti-money laundering provisions.
“The minister has already spoken with OLG and it’s certainly something given what has happened in British Columbia that we’re paying close attention to,” she said.
