BCLC's Anti-Money Laundering Program

1. BCLC encourages non-cash transactions. In 2012, BCLC implemented policy changes to enable B.C. casinos to offer Patron Gaming Fund (PGF) accounts. This allows players to transfer money from their bank accounts into a separate gaming account, eliminating the need to bring cash into a casino.
   
   
2. BCLC has a dedicated AML Unit and requires and supports AML training for all service provider staff in casinos. BCLC’s dedicated AML unit is staffed with internationally certified AML investigators and certified intelligence analysts. BCLC also requires and supports all casino employees with AML training to ensure they know how to identify, report and help prevent money laundering. 
   
   
3. BCLC collaborates with law-enforcement agencies to support BCLC in identifying and banning individuals whose presence is undesirable from casinos, such as those suspected of criminal activity, or believed to be a public safety risk or members of organized crime groups. Since 2014, BCLC has barred more than 550 individuals from casinos.
   
   
4. BCLC requires and supports AML training for all service provider staff in casinos to ensure that employees know how to identify, report and help prevent money laundering.
   
   
5. BCLC requires casinos to clearly label all cheques as “return of funds – not gaming winnings” or as “verified win” to prevent individuals from buying-in with large amounts of cash, playing nominally and cashing out with a generic casino cheque.
   
   
6. BCLC began placing certain players on sourced-cash conditions in 2015, meaning that they cannot buy-in with any amount of cash unless they disclose their source of funds.
   
   
7. Today, anyone who tries to buy-in with $10,000 or more in cash must prove where the funds came from before they can do so. BCLC implemented this policy in 2018 in response to the German Report’s recommendation, requiring casino operators to complete a Source of Funds Declaration for all cash and bank draft/certified cheque buy-ins of $10,000 or more. In addition, casinos have the discretion to ask anyone to provide the source of their funds, regardless of amount.
   
   
8. Casinos are also required to verify the identity of individuals for all buy-ins of $3,000 or more in a single transaction. Individuals with buy-ins of $3,000 or more must provide government-issued identification. BCLC implemented this policy in 2021 in response to regulatory amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. In addition, casinos have the discretion to ask anyone to provide the source of their funds, regardless of their amount. 
   
   
9. BCLC monitors, controls and reports suspicious transactions of any amount in casinos, including the exchange of small-denomination bills for large-denomination bills and casino chips between patrons. We also take steps to know our players, including using various intelligence tools and methods to confirm the identity of those suspected to be engaged in suspicious activities.
   
   
10. BCLC verifies all PlayNow.com accounts before they are available for login, including through reviews of a player’s government-photo identification and credit history. With fully account-based play, BCLC can effectively oversee all transactions and players on PlayNow.com.
    
    

For a more detailed view of the history of BCLC’s actions, please download our Anti-Money Laundering Actions PDF fact sheet.

Last updated: June 7, 2022