Prime Minister Trudeau Seeks Answers in BC Casino Scandal, Stays Mum on Public Inquiry

Prime Minister Trudeau Seeks Answers in BC Casino Scandal, Stays Mum on Public Inquiry.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau wants to know how international criminal rings were able to use British Columbia (BC) casinos as their personal money laundering service, but he stopped short of declaring a full public inquiry into the scandal.

BC casino scandalCanadian PM Justin Trudeau has no answers when it comes to the BC casino scandal. (CTV News)

The PM was responding to a Global News report last week which indicated that filtered through BC casinos, a much higher figure than initial estimates of $100m.

Sources from the report charged that there was “willful blindness” on the part of provincial regulators, who allegedly allowed bogus bank loans to flow through their own accounts.

“We have tasked the (Minister of Organized Crime) Bill Blair, to make sure that we are looking very carefully at the situation in BC in the casinos,” said Trudeau via Global News.

The PM ignored reporters questions about the potential need for a public inquiry, saying only that his government is working with the province to find out what happened.

Who Knew What?

A public inquiry may shed some light on the ongoing saga, but it would be long and costly. Still, there appears to be a strong thirst for answers from a an unhappy public.

A poll by the BC Government and Service Employees Union, one of the province’s biggest unions, showed that:

77% of BC residents want a pubic inquiry84% referred to it as an important election issue

Article Sources
New Jersey Sports Betting Handle Totals $16M in First Two Weeks, Atlantic City Gaming Win Increases editorial policy.
  1. Macau Chief Gaming Regulator Mum on Whether MGM and SJM Will Be Granted License Extensions

Compare Accounts
×
Famed Broadcaster Brent Musburger New Voice of Raiders, Developing Fox Sports Betting TV Show
Provider
Name
Description
Outgoing Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval Joins MGM Resorts, Will Focus on Japan  Famed Broadcaster Brent Musburger New Voice of Raiders, Developing Fox Sports Betting TV Show  World Cup Bet Miscalculation Leaves British Sports Book Out $40,000  France Wins World Cup 2018 in Russia, Young Squad Proves Too Much for Cinderella Croatia  MGM Las Vegas Shooting Victim Lawsuits Leave Legal Community Incredulous  Caesars Charm Offensive in Japan Borders on Political Bribery, Claims Local Media  World Cup Bet Miscalculation Leaves British Sports Book Out $40,000  Las Vegas Cabbies Continue Strip Boycott at New York-New York Casino, But Will Anyone Care?  Caesars Charm Offensive in Japan Borders on Political Bribery, Claims Local Media  Penn National Partners With Pennsylvania Convenience Chain Rutter’s for VGTs, Sheetz and Wawa Run Empty