The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a CA$70,000 ($52,000) fine on MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc., the operator of Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. This punishment aligns with AGCO’s increased scrutiny in recent months as the regulator strengthens its enforcement policy. Fallsview Casino announced it would appeal the fine, likely heralding a more in-depth review of the case.

A Patron Engaged in Highly Suspicious Activity

AGCO’s latest news release stated that the incident occurred in April 2023 when a patron visited the Salon Privé, a high-limit gaming area within Fallsview Casino Resort known for offering sophistication and discretion. The patron reportedly handed CA$80,000 ($60,000) in strapped CA$100 bills, carried in a reusable grocery bag, to a casino attendant.

Surveillance footage revealed that after the money was counted and confirmed, the patron left the table with casino chips without engaging in any gambling activity at that time. Notably, the AGCO stated that the identified patron was previously flagged as “high risk” by the casino. However, employees took no measures to inform officials or on-site police as per standard protocols.

The AGCO further highlighted that Fallsview Casino failed to take meaningful steps to verify the source of the patron’s funds, a requirement under the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming’s anti-money laundering rules. The lack of action constitutes a substantial violation of AML guidelines and safe gambling requirements, justifying the steep CA$70,000 fine.

The Casino Is Determined to Appeal These Accusations

In response to the fine, a spokesperson for Fallsview Casino expressed disagreement, asserting the venue’s commitment to compliance and ethical conduct. Registered operators can contest such decisions and bring their case before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

“Fallsview Casino Resort is a company devoted to compliance and good citizenship. We will be appealing the decision and look forward to presenting our case.”

Fallsview Casino statement

This newest fine reflects AGCO’s continued vigilance and determination to ensure a safe and sustainable gambling sector. The authority has been very proactive recently, pursuing even high-profile operators such as PointsBet for responsible gaming breaches. AGCO noted it maintained close communication with operators, ensuring they adhered to its rigorous standards.

The CA$70,000 fine, CA$10,000 less than the alleged laundered amount, signals the regulatory authority’s uncompromising stance on adherence to anti-money laundering regulations within the province’s gambling establishments. Fallsview Casino’s decision to appeal should hopefully shed more light on the case, revealing whether the establishment failed its AML responsibilities.

The post Ontario Casino Faces $52K Fine for Alleged Money Laundering Incident appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A 31-year-old East Moline woman, Missy Smith, found herself in custody following an incident at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf on Sunday afternoon. Smith faces charges of assault on persons in certain occupations, with additional charges related to possession of a controlled substance.

Woman’s Aggressive Outburst Leads to Assault on Emergency Personnel

The commotion began when casino security sought law enforcement assistance around 2:45 p.m. due to Smith’s refusal to vacate her hotel room, reported Our Quad Cities. Upon entering the room, officers noted the distinct aroma of burnt marijuana. Allegedly in plain view were marijuana, a grinder, and a multi-colored smoking device.

As the situation unfolded, Smith encountered hotel security in the hallway while Bettendorf Fire Department EMTs attempted to assess her condition. Witnesses claim she erupted into a fit of profanity-laden threats, physically assaulting the emergency medical staff with kicks and aggressive hand movements.

Law enforcement documents state that Smith, after being placed on a medical stretcher for transportation to the hospital, escalated the situation by kicking a paramedic multiple times. Shockingly, she then gathered a significant amount of saliva and forcefully spat it into the eye of a police officer.

To manage her aggressive behavior, officers resorted to using a law enforcement restraining tool called “The Wrap” and fitting Smith with a spit hood. Even with these measures in place, she allegedly continued to forcibly spit on the paramedic while inside the ambulance.

Legal Woes Mount for Smith as She Faces Drug Charges Alongside Assault Allegations

In addition to the assault charges, Smith faces a serious misdemeanor charge for the possession of a controlled substance – marijuana. Smith is currently held at the Scott County Jail, with bail set at $5,300. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 11 in Scott County Court.

Authorities have not disclosed whether Smith suffered from any medical conditions that may have contributed to her erratic behavior, leaving the motive behind her actions unclear. The casino and law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the incident.

In other news, a man identified as L.L.B., 48, has been sentenced to 24 to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a casino bar fight at the former Hard Rock Casino in Stateline, Nevada. The altercation, captured on CCTV, resulted in injuries to an unnamed woman, including a fractured upper jaw and the loss of two teeth. The incident occurred in November 2021, with the sentencing taking place recently, and details about the cause of the dispute and any injuries sustained by the attacker remain undisclosed.

The post Disorderly Iowa Woman Arrested After Spitting Incident at Bettendorf Casino appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Lucky Eagle Casino found itself embroiled in a fatal shooting incident over the weekend, leading to the temporary closure of the establishment following a harrowing encounter between law enforcement and a murder suspect. This development perpetuates November’s unfortunate trend, as armed violence inside US casinos is becoming a regular occurrence. 

Witness Testimony Revealed Additional Details

The victim, identified as 33-year-old Darren Evans of Yelm by Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock, was fatally shot by a Chehalis tribal police officer at Washington State’s Lucky Eagle Casino. Evans was the subject of a warrant for two counts of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in Pierce County. The charges stemmed from a September 2022 incident in Graham, where Evans was wanted for murder.

On Sunday, Chehalis Tribal police and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office personnel received information suggesting Evans was inside the Lucky Eagle Casino. Upon attempting to make contact with Evans, an officer fired shots, resulting in fatal injuries to Evans. Eyewitness Dee Thomas, speaking for KOMO, described Evans running towards the casino exit before the officer discharged his firearm.

I think he tried to get to the front door exit, and then all of a sudden, I see the officer shot him right in the middle of the floor. I didn’t see a direct threat from the man.

Dee Thomas

Authorities have not disclosed the specific circumstances that prompted the officer to fire, nor have they clarified whether Evans was armed or posed a threat to the officer before the shooting. Efforts to save Evans following the shooting were unsuccessful, according to reports from the sheriff’s office. 

Casino Shootings Are Becoming Concerningly Common

Lucky Eagle Casino, operated by the Chehalis Tribe and located near Rochester, about 25 miles southwest of Olympia, announced its temporary closure in response to the tragic event. An establishment representative confirmed it would remain closed until further notice, expressing sorrow over the incident and the necessity of the closure during the ongoing investigation.

This newest shooting represents a concerning trend of armed violence at high-profile gambling venues. November saw a triple homicide near a casino in Robinsonville, MS, and similar reports of homicides related to the gambling industry have become increasingly frequent. While the courts often issue swift judgments regarding such cases, preventative measures remain lacking.

You think you’re going to a public place that’s a safe place, that’s secure, and anything could happen.

Dee Thomas

The rising frequency of such incidents should prompt casino operators to invest more in security, safeguarding consumers and reducing the chances of similar tragedies. Lucky Eagle Casino demonstrates how an unfortunate incident can substantially impact a venue’s bottom line and damage its reputation, justifying some extra expenses.

The post Shooting Incident at Washington State’s Lucky Eagle Casino Raises Safety Concerns appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Philippine authorities continue the crackdown on Philippine Online Gaming Operator-related crime. Previously, authorities busted an illegal POGO operation that was involved in human trafficking and found that a number of local police workers may have been involved.

In the wake of the raid, the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will undergo a thorough assessment of the Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) which allow foreigners to work for local gambling operators and companies.

As a result, the DOLE will look into as many as 42,000 foreigners working for POGO companies and take punitive action if it learns that some of them are involved in crime. The department warned that people who have participated in fraudulent activities risk the cancelation of their AEPs or even prison time.

Senate Members Proposed Blanket Ban on POGOs

The action comes amid intense calls for a crackdown on POGOs and the review of AEP workers. The Philippine Senate recently underscored the importance of a blanket ban on offshore operators.

Senator Joel Villanueva slammed the POGOs, saying that these companies should not be allowed to operate and freely offer their services when their licenses have been revoked. The head of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sherwin Gatchalian, on the other hand, said that POGOS should be kicked out from the Philippines as soon as possible.

The Philippines has a serious problem with AEP-related fraud as foreign criminals would oftentimes obtain their permits illegally and then buy a password. This creates a dangerous internal threat for the Asian country and has prompted the authorities to act.

Incidents often involve illegal gambling, human trafficking and gun crime and sometimes end in killings. A recent attack, for example, left two people dead and one severely injured. Authorities believe that the attack might also be related to POGO-related crime.

In the meantime, the Philippine government continues its efforts to exit the FATF grey list.

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