The casino industry is a target for criminals looking to launder their profits gained through illicit activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Casino Anti Money Laundering Requirements
Casino Anti Money Laundering Requirements

Mar 04, 2021 Title 31 Anti-Money Laundering. FAQs regarding Title 31 (Anti-Money Laundering) Insights into the intent of Title 31 and information on the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for casinos. FinCEN develops answers to Frequently Asked Questions to assist in complying with the responsibilities under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Sparks Nugget admitted that it willfully violated the anti-money laundering (AML) provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Casinos are required to implement and maintain an effective AML program; to maintain records of certain transactions; and to file reports relating to transactions in currency and suspicious transactions.

Money laundering in casinos can happen in many forms. In some cases dirty money is converted into chips, played with for a short while, then cashed out in the form of a check. Another way that money laundered in a casino is through the use of individuals using false identification to create multiple accounts to avoid tracing money laundering transactions taking place in the casino.

In many jurisdictions, casinos are required to register with their financial intelligence unit and implement an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program. Failure to do so can result in hefty penalties.

In the UK, from January to May 2020, the gaming industry paid £27m in settlements over regulatory action. Toward the end of 2019, the UK crackdown on online casinos netted another £8.7m. Two of the offences occurred just a month after other four other companies were fined more than £4.5m for similar money laundering infractions. That brings the total fines in 2019 to more than £13.2m.

In the U.S., casinos must comply with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). FinCEN, the financial intelligence unit for the United States, issued guidance in 2010 regarding AML/BSA compliance programs, stating that, “at a minimum,” such a program must include:

A system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance with the BSA;
Internal or external independent testing for compliance with a scope and frequency commensurate with the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing posed by the products and services provided;
Training of casino personnel, including training in the identification of unusual or suspicious transactions;
An individual or individuals to assure day-to-day compliance with the BSA;
Procedures for using all available information to determine and verify, when required, the name, address, social security or taxpayer identification number, and other identifying information for a person;
Procedures for using all available information to determine the occurrence of any transactions or patterns of transactions required to be reported as suspicious;
Procedures for using all available information to determine whether a record required under the BSA must be made and retained; and
For casinos and card clubs with automated data processing systems, use of the programs to aid in assuring compliance.

Money Laundering Reporting

In terms of suspicious activity being reported to FinCEN in 2019, “Minimal Gaming with Large Transactions” was the highest reported activity with more than 5,000 Suspicious Activity Reports (“SAR”). Other frequently cited suspicious activities include:

Transactions below CTR Threshold
Unknown Source of Chips
Two or More Individuals Working Together
Alteration or Cancelation of Transactions to Avoid CTR Requirement
Suspicion Concerns on the Source of Funds

Suspicious activity involving sports betting, abandoned jackpot, and bill stuffing were often cited in SAR forms for those who checked the “other” box.

Warning from FinCEN

At a recent conference, FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco warned casinos that cuts to compliance budget in order to reduce costs and retain gamblers is seen by the agency as a national security issue and the agency would not take the issue lightly.

“So it concerns me when I hear about some compliance budgets being cut by casinos looking to trim costs and retain gamblers. To be clear—we take the culture of compliance seriously. This is a national security issue: not something to be taken lightly—and we will not take it lightly.”

“FinCEN is continually looking at compliance across all financial institutions and will not hesitate to act when it identifies financial institutions that violate the BSA. It is also important to note that not all enforcement actions are public—FinCEN often closes cases with warning letters sent to financial institutions or refers cases to our delegated examiners to conduct additional examinations.”

The regulator also expects casinos to integrate the latest products into into their existing AML programs. “Sports betting, and other mobile gaming services run through your casino, are no different than other products and services. FinCEN expects that your casino or card club is monitoring your sports betting programs for potentially suspicious activity. This includes offering sports betting through a mobile app.”

Red Flag Indicators for Casinos

FinCEN is not the only regulator putting pressure on casinos to detect money laundering in their organizations. In the UK, a casino company has been fined a record £13m (USD$16 million) by the Gambling Commission for failing to prevent money laundering and for allowing people with gambling problems to lose huge amounts over repeated visits to its casinos.

For these reasons, it is imperative that casinos implement an effective AML compliance program.

FINTRAC, Canada’s Financial Intelligence Unit, offers a list of money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) indicators to help all casinos detect potential money laundering and comply with the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and associated Regulations. While issued by the Canadian regulator, these indicators are useful for any casino operating in any jurisdiction. Here is a subset of some of those indicators.

Money laundering indicators related to identifying the person

When opening an account, the client refuses or tries to avoid providing information required, or provides information that is misleading, vague, or difficult to verify.
Identification presented by the client cannot be verified.
Inconsistencies in the identification documents or different identifiers provided by the client.
Client produces seemingly false information or identification that appears to be counterfeited, altered or inaccurate.
Client displays a pattern of name variations from one transaction to another or uses aliases.
Client alters the transaction after being asked for identity documents.
The client provides only a non-civic address such as a post office box or disguises a post office box as a civic address for the purpose of concealing their physical address.
Transactions involve individual(s) identified as being linked to criminal activities.

Money laundering indicators related to client behavior

Client conducts transactions at different physical locations, or approaches different staff.
Client exhibits nervous behavior or has a defensive stance to questioning.
Client presents confusing details about the transaction or knows few details about its purpose.
Client avoids contact with reporting entity employees or refuses to provide information.
The client refuses to identify a source for funds or provides information that is false, misleading, or substantially incorrect.
Client makes inquiries/statements indicating a desire to avoid reporting or tries to persuade the reporting entity not to file/maintain required reports.
Client closes account after an initial deposit is made without a reasonable explanation.

Money laundering indicators surrounding the financial transactions in relation to the person profile

The transactional activity is inconsistent with the client’s apparent financial standing, their usual pattern of activities or occupational information.
Client appears to be living beyond their means.
Large and/or rapid movement of funds not commensurate with the client’s financial profile.
Opening accounts when the clie

Casino Anti Money Laundering