Canada Illegal Gambling
The Canadian gambling industry has faced a lot of scrutiny in recent years because there have been multiple allegations that money launderers have targeted multiple casinos in the country in an attempt to wash their dirty money.
Online gambling was considered illegal and was not regulated in any of the provinces of Canada until 2009. However, this did not stop Canadians from gambling on offshore sites, which still retain a high level of popularity. Since the legalization of online gambling Canada legal has grown rapidly and significantly.
Investigations have shown that some of Canada’s top casinos have failed to properly comply with gaming regulations and anti-money laundering laws. These breaches have allowed money launderers in recent years to use certain casinos on multiple occasions to launder money.
The gambling market in Canada has once again been tarnished as the authorities have busted a major illegal gambling operation and made 28 arrests so far.
At the same time, liberalization of legal gambling activities since 1970 appears to have had no effect on illegal gambling. During the past 80 years gambling in Canada has evolved from an activity socially tolerated only within narrow restraints to a broadly acceptable leisure-time activity. As a general rule, a form of gambling is illegal within the borders of Canada if it’s not licensed or managed by the government (either on a federal or provincial level). This certainly applies to major gaming operations such as land-based casinos, but it also applies to charitable options such as bingo and raffles. Is illegal gambling a problem in Canada? A quick review of Canadian news indicates that there are problems with casinos and betting sites in Canada. Toronto seems to bear the brunt of the illegal gambling sites. In January, in raids on Italian cafes and social clubs, Toronto police made 15 arrests and seized a large number of illegal gambling.
Canadian authorities launched a massive operation to take down a major criminal operation which included the arrest of 3 members of the Hells Angels gang. This criminal syndicate had their hands in a number of illegal activities which included running an illegal gambling operation for over 5 years and bringing in more than $131 million during this period of time.
Operation Hobart, was a two year investigation that looked at a number of well-known criminals including a UK national who had strong times to a Mafia family. The operation resulted in the seizure of houses, guns, cars and lots of cash. Canadian police had to work together with the London police to share information and take down the gang.
Illegal Gambling Operation Busted
The authorities learned that the gang ran 5 illegal online casinos which brought in over $131 million in the last five years. The illegal gambling operation brought in $13 million during the first 6 months of 2019. Platinum Sportsbook was one of the main betting sites operated by the gang and generated $103 million between 2009 and 2013.
Canada Illegal Gambling Sites
The authorities went on to seize $1.7 million in cash, gold bars, coins and silver coins amounting to $320,000; jewellery and luxury watches valued at $303,000, vintage and luxury cards, 3 Harley Davidson motorcycles and 2 vacation houses estimated to be around $8.1 million. There were also 7 residences that were seized during the operation.
A number of these gang members were seasoned criminals. Police also uncovered 6 rifles, 9 illegal handguns and 3 shotguns. The 28 people arrested in Operation Hobart were slapped with a combined total of 228 charges.
Canadian authorities said that this major illegal gambling bust will send a strong message to the rest of the illegal gambling market as the authorities will continue their crackdown.
Canada Illegal Gambling Winnings
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