Casino de Montréal Once Again Linked with Controversy

Loto-Québec is one of the Crown corporations overseeing gaming operation within the province of Quebec and its diverse portfolio along with many brick-and-mortar locations attract a crowd of individuals daily. Recently it became clear that the leader amassed legal fees of nearly CA$260,000 in relation to allegedly suspicious money transactions on the premises of Casino de Montréal.

The issue of money laundering at Canadian casinos has been discussed for years now, as casino locations across British Columbia have been targeted by loan sharks, money laundering, and Asian players ready to gamble large amounts of cash money. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada keeps a close eye on reporting larger deposits at casinos and any suspicious transactions that could take place.

FINTRAC

Recently it became clear that the Crown corporation overseeing daily gaming across the province of Quebec has poured some CA$260,000 in legal fees to dispute a previous penalty linked to suspicious money transactions at the popular gambling hotspot. It could be recalled that back in 2020, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada imposed a fine reaching CA$147,000 on the Crown corporation.

According to it, the gaming leader failed to report multiple money transactions of a greater extent made by one of the casino’s patrons. These deposits at the casino took place in the summer of 2011, when the analysis center commenced its monitoring of the casino location. It should be pointed out that money transactions surpassing CA$10,000 must be reported as they are happening, as this is required by the law.

What happened over the next six years is that the Crown corporation contested the aforementioned fine and went on to lead a legal battle that ended up being quite costly when it comes to the legal fees associated with it. When all was said and done, the legal fees surpassed the initial fine imposed.

More Controversy

It could be recalled that the fall of 2020 witnessed the Office of Investigation request more information regarding the legal fees. Such details were revealed only recently, meaning that the Crown corporation took its time to do so in a public manner. This is not the only thing surrounding Casino de Montréal over the past couple of weeks, as casino workers there have expressed their discontentment.

The tension between staff members and the management began escalating back in March, when the Canadian Union of Public Employees revealed the position staff members represented by it have. As it became clear, workers are not content with the fact that the employer is refusing to recall all staff members that were laid off during previous closures. The dealers voted 97.4% in favor of pressure tactics against the Crown agency, including going out on a strike so their voice can be heard.

Ever since then, the situation at Casino de Montréal has continued to deteriorate, as the casino’s croupiers went on a full-scale general strike. The unlimited strike began on May 21, 2022, as negotiations between Loto-Québec and the Canadian Union of Public Employees on a new and improved collective agreement hit a roadblock.

Source: Hernandez, Helen. “Loto-Québec spent $260,000 in legal fees to contest a fine“, OiCanadian, May 24, 2022